the lie detector

they strap a lie detector
to your arm
and begin to question about
where you were
last night, the night
before.
a year ago.
were you ever
in love. when was the last
time
you ate red meat.
have you ever lied about
your age
your weight, your sincerity.
do you recycle,
separating paper and plastic.
you answer as best you can.
the machine
smokes and catches
fire, so they bring in
a new one
and say give me your
other arm.