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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-10-20 11:26 PM


Upon the stairway of despair,
Complete with broken love affairs
And promises that never came,
But faded with a touch of shame,
A pretty girl with golden hair
And innocence so sadly rare,
Strove to keep her head above
A way of life devoid of love.

Feeling pinned against Life's wall,
She chanced upon a robot tall
And said, "Please come and share with me
Whatever Fate has deemed to be.
I'm through with love, done with chances
Spirit crushed by past romances,
Just be a friend in word and deed.
That's all that I shall ever need."

"There's not too much from me to learn,"
Remarked the robot, in return.
"Emotions do not form a part
of my cold, solid-steel heart.
Whatever maker fashioned me
Did not permit my circuitry
Responsiveness to love or pain -
You're thoughts for me would be in vain."

"No matter", spoke the maid. "No more
Do I wish passion to explore.
Be someone I can come home to
When my exhausting day is through.
Count yourself a well-worn shoe -
A friend that I can slip into ......
Protection from a stone cold floor…
For this I ask and nothing more."

Agreement made, he took her hand
And lived the life that she had planned,
Always willing, not demanding,
Aiding her with understanding
He made her smile with humorous wit
(As his restrictions would permit)
And, bit by bit, she came to feel
That he was more than iron and steel.

"I love you, robot", she at last
Replied when several months had passed.
"You're strength and quiet dignity
Have brought a wondrous change in me.
No more do I feel all alone,
And pray you must be flesh and bone.
Deep-set emotions you MUST feel
Within that outer coat of steel!"

"If I were able, I would say
I'm sorry I was made this way
But my design and programmation
Does not provide for that creation
0f feelings normal men may feel
That were not born of iron and steel.
I told you all this once before.
You have no right expecting more."

"Go, then!" cried she. "I will not live
Beside a fiend who cannot give!
Though I be battered by misuse,
Misguided trust and strong abuse,
At least the men I chose were real
And had the power to love and feel.
Of all the lovers I recall,
You are the cruelest one of all!"

The robot, indestructible,
Continues freely and at will.
Emotionless, apparently,
But, bearing closer scrutiny,
One can see a small tear streak
Down that cold, metallic cheek
As I reflect upon my life ....
That lovely lady was my wife.

The robot, of couse, was me.


© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
1 posted 1999-10-20 11:34 PM


I'm not excatly sure what to reply to this one, Sir Balladeer. I have a hard time believing that you are made of steel. So much passion in your work, no heartless man could write so beautifully.
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 1999-10-20 11:42 PM


It's just a poetic creation, Marilyn, not a description of me....I certainly hope!
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
3 posted 1999-10-20 11:47 PM


Balladeer,
A work well worth reading and with a meaning.

Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
4 posted 1999-10-20 11:47 PM


Thank the heaven's for that my friend. You are so dynamic, one never knows...LOL.
Watcher666
Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606

5 posted 1999-10-21 02:21 AM


Loved this one Sir! Fabulous story.

------------------
Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
6 posted 1999-10-21 06:45 AM


You have friends? (puzzled look) And NEW ones at that? LOL. (I'm back... didja miss me? LOL) Great job, 'Deer one... not that I expected less from your pen!
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
7 posted 1999-10-21 08:21 AM


Well Balladeer? I'm just an awe of your talent.......If you don't take all your poetry to a publisher you're crazy!!!
Iloveit
Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121
NM
8 posted 1999-10-21 09:59 AM


yep, in awe, wow, reading your poetry is a joy, and this is not "just a poetic creation" it IS a fantastic poetic creation
Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
9 posted 1999-10-21 10:13 AM


As usual.... I loved it. : )
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
10 posted 1999-10-21 10:20 AM


Balladeer.....as I've said many a time, you tell a fine tale and you tell it well
Be off to the publishers my boy!!

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
11 posted 1999-10-21 10:32 AM


Buddy this made me cry! I don't know what else to say. I can relate to this. It touched me deeply. Surely you are no robot of steel. I'm left speechless.
Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
12 posted 1999-10-21 12:05 PM


Every time I read a piece of your work, I think it cannot get any better than this; and every time I am wrong!
Kudos, my friend.........

------------------

May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
13 posted 1999-10-21 01:30 PM


I have told you before and I'll tell you again, you have so much talent and so much to give. I hope I can be a new friend.
poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646
Arkansas
14 posted 1999-10-21 03:05 PM


I really loved this....(sigh) Even if it was just fictional....(wink) I wanna be your new friend too - - (sniff) I fear I've scared you off.....am I too much woman for you to handle, Balladeer? LOL hehehe I know, you find Lucie & I quite repulsive in Adult, 'eh? Sorry......I do wish to apologize.....
Can we still be friends, even if old ???

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
15 posted 1999-10-21 03:56 PM


I almost didn't read this because I don't consider myself new...more like used...but then I thought what the heck, and enjoyed myself, my giggles checked!

Thanks for sharing, Sir Balladeer!

LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
16 posted 1999-10-21 04:04 PM


And so the robot, man of steel,
The thing that could not cry nor feel,
Nor wake in morn, nor go to sleep,
Regardless knew of counting sheep.
He moved as if caught in a dream,
To a respite of pastoral scene,
Where he could find days far less blue,
In the comfort of a Toerag ewe.

'Deer - you wrote a fine poem my friend - I hope my slipping into Toerag mode has not offended yewe. lol

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
17 posted 1999-10-21 04:07 PM


It's been so long since we've seen the sailor,
Then he arrives, being mean without failure.
but that's okay cuz we've missed him so bad,
But he shouldn't be mean to poor old Toerag!

Iloveit
Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121
NM
18 posted 1999-10-21 04:11 PM


loved this, of course, haven't read a single thing of yours I didn't, so you'll have to trust me when I say my I love it is as sincere as it can be

and giggles for the sailor and the toe, you 2 are a quite a pair

LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
19 posted 1999-10-21 04:16 PM


Now Toerag's alerted and is on guard,
As he hoards the sheep penned his yard.
But he'll fail, for when he sleeps,
The robot will come "steel" his sheeps.
Toe will turn and toss all night,
Holding his favorite sheep so tight,
But when he wakes, old Toe will find,
The robot 'Deer left none behind.

Richard 33
Member
since 1999-09-09
Posts 187
glen easton, wv usa
20 posted 1999-10-21 04:37 PM


Good read indeed!!! Interesting twist, and a
great surprise ending, well worth reading, so creative, excellent!!!!

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
21 posted 1999-10-21 04:57 PM


Watcher...thank you for the comment.
Suthern..yes, I did. Very much. Welcome back.
Toe...Thanks, pal. You know any?
Munda...Thanks. I appreciate it.
Hoot...you always make me feel good.
WhtDove....Don't cry, but I'm glad it touched you.
Pepper...Your thoughts mean a lot to me.
Martie...You are. Count on it. Thank you.
Femme...I don't know. Let me handle you and we'll find out.(Oh, sorry, Michael) No, I find you and Lucie delightful, in need of some serious psychiatric counseling, but delightful. You will always be a friend.
Sunshine...I just said that because I thought all the old, er, seasoned members of Passions had read it. Please keep reading. I delight in your approval.
Richard....Welcome..and thank you.

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

22 posted 1999-10-21 08:47 PM


'Tis truly one of my favorites! Publishers....ARE A ROYAL PAIN! Who needs 'em anyway? We have PASSIONS!
GO PASSIONS! (there I go shouting again!)

Again....GREAT POEM!

------------------
Denise

RainbowGirl
Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023
United Kingdom
23 posted 1999-10-22 08:11 AM


You big softie..

HUSG

------------------
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.


Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
24 posted 1999-10-22 06:08 PM


Glad to see you bring this one back Balladeer. One of my favorites.


------------------
Michael Anderson

Is all that we see or seem
but a dream within a dream?




Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
25 posted 1999-10-22 11:03 PM


Do I qualify as a "new friend"?

This was really a very interesting piece, and it struck close to home with me. The man you described in this poem was my father (well figuratively if not literally). It brought a tear to my eye as I have never tried to imagine his side of the sad story of my parents' divorce. Perhaps this was it.

------------------
You cannot choose the way of your death, but the path you choose will determine its own end.

snow in summer
Member
since 1999-08-28
Posts 67

26 posted 1999-10-24 01:17 PM


what a way to paint with words!
Blue Eyed Wanderer
Member
since 1999-09-26
Posts 84
Rhode Island, US
27 posted 1999-10-24 02:13 PM


Wow. That's the only word I can think of to describe this. It was so wonderful, and brought a tear to my eye. Everything of your's that I've read is always so great and perfect, and I can only wish to someday be half as good as you are.
~Jess~

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