gravitating from one window to another
they observe worlds they can never enter

watch dots of colour flicker on fields of glass
forming patterns of desire, illusions of beauty

I look for signs of life - see an eyelid quiver
the occasional small movement of the hand

but they are beyond contact - under hypnosis
mesmerised by these visions of artificial life

night turns to day, then day to night once more
- the windows to the outside world remain shut