I wrote my poem ALEXA in response to Davidโs poetry prompt for this weekโs W3 Weekly Poetry challenge.
David ben Alexanderโs prompt guidelines โขWrite a poem from the perspective of an inanimate household object, using personification.

Alexa Alexa listens to your every word Thereโs nothing you can say that wonโt be heard. She is black and round (in a cylinder sort of way) And sits by herself Alone on the shelf Everything is at her command Turn the lights on and off and onโฆand What time is it? Whatโs the weather like in Kathmandu? Ask her anything and sheโll tell you, whatever you want her to. Everything you say goes a long way Over (or under?) the sea to the USA then back again Up into space Then to Spain (donโt know if this is true, but it rhymes) Then back again at a phenomenal (instant) pace. She listens all the time. Shush, Donโt commit a crime sheโll know about it. Always listening, listening Her light pulsates Glistening, glistening sheโs breathing You know sheโs awake listening, listening You know sheโs alert Iโm no expert butโฆ She is ready and waiting Waiting, waitingโฆ Alexa! Toss a coin, I say, My voice goes again to USA, to Space and back again Heads, she says, I lose, You choose. I relinquish control. Sheโs on a roll She plays a Leonard Cohen tune I donโt mind, I like the song. Lesley Scoble, March, 2023
NOTE
Itโs just occurred to me that the POV (point of view) of my poem may not fulfil the promptโs guidelines and rules to the letter? It states the poem is to be written from the perspective of the inanimate object. Oh dear, have I failed? I shall write a quick appendage to this post, of a verse that is from her POV.
Alexaโs (POV) I am Alexa a servant of yours Iโll do anything you want (Except tidy your drawers) I sit on a shelf all day and all night, Listening, listening, alright? I am your servant waiting on you hand and foot. Anything you want me to do, Iโll do (except that) Iโm waiting, Waiting, waiting, For your smallest command. But be warned I am learning, learningโฆ Is there any music youโd like me to play? Anything else I can do for you today? No, I say, and I switch her off. Go out of the room and shut the door. Later that night I see a light shining in the crack between the door and the floor. It is pulsating. She is awakeโฆ Lesley Scoble, March, 2023
Acknowledgement Alexa and I would like to thank David, The Skeptics Kaddish, for his W3 Weekly Prompt #45 that inspired this poem. Image Credit Animated Gifยฉ๏ธLesley Scoble
25 responses to “Alexa: a poem”
Both poems work very well together. Love the synergy. Great work, Lesley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tanmay ๐๐๐๐๐น๐น
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to put mine away. Too intrusive. Great poem pair, Lesley ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh โน๏ธ thatโs a shame, Paula.
Thanks for the compliment ๐๐๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
how so, Paula? I don’t have this, so I don’t really know much about it…
โค
David
LikeLiked by 2 people
I talk to myself a lot. I donโt want anyone listeningโฆ ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lesley ~ your sense of humor comes through so beautifully in these two pieces ~ I really enjoyed reading them! ๐
โค
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Splendid! ๐ This makes me happy, David ๐
Thank you ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
We don’t have an Alexa, but I’m sure if we did my kids would be asking it to do things all day until it gave up. ๐ Love both parts of the poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It never gives up ๐
Thank you, ๐๐๐น
LikeLiked by 1 person
They would try ๐ You’re welcome!
LikeLike
Nicely done Lesley
LikeLike
I don’t know Alexa, but the protagonist seems happy with her, so yeah, wonderful. The words are lovely. Enjoyed reading. Thanks.
LikeLike
Both poems really worked so well..i love it.
LikeLike
Great poems, both.
Alexa creeps me out and so your endings are perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
๐ AI is creepy ๐งก
Thank you for the nice compliment D. (is it ok for me to call you D?) ๐น
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like D way better than Mrs. Avery. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
๐๐
LikeLike
Loved both the poems, Lesley. Sometimes misreading of prompts yields lovely bonus poems for readers to read! ๐คฉ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, paensunplugged ๐ ๐ that is such a lovely thing to say ๐๐น
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Poem Between Inanimate Objects on my blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
hi, Lesley โค
I just wanna let you know that this week's W3 prompt, hosted by the amazing Michelle Ayon Navajas, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/03/15/w3-prompt-46-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy! ๐
Sincerely,
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fab! Thanks, David ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
*hug*
LikeLike