navwin » Archives » Voices on the Web » The Robot
Voices on the Web
Post A Reply Post New Topic The Robot Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2000-06-21 11:44 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 course, was me.


© Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 2000-06-21 11:55 PM


...and this is the other one that I have tucked away for safe-keeping!  

Denise

Novacaine For The Soul
Member
since 2000-05-26
Posts 122
New Orleans
2 posted 2000-06-22 12:07 PM


dear balladeer,
     what a sad and even somewhat disturbing story... i hope this one wasn't autobiographical... you have a flair for emotion, i can't believe such a fine sculptor of the human heart could himself be lacking in tenderness...

sincerely,
a sad tomato

you're such a beautiful freak... i wish there were more just like you...

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

3 posted 2000-06-22 12:28 PM


Bal,
I don't want this tucked away. I want this printed and distributed. Vital.

Mike

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
4 posted 2000-06-22 12:29 PM


Dear Sir Balladeer ... I do so ... enjoy your style
excellent poem

Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
5 posted 2000-06-22 01:20 AM


Ball,  Perfect!! I absolutely love it. Will speak to many, perhaps help some. One of my favorites.
linda munday
Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315
Adelaide, Australia
6 posted 2000-06-22 02:17 AM


Balladeer, If this was ever you then it must have been a temporary thing.  I enjoy all you poems.  Linda M

Colin
Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596
Callington, Cornwall, England
7 posted 2000-06-22 09:02 AM


I'd be barking up the wrong tree if I thought I could get away with a cheeky comment on this one  

Eric.

"We are the music makers and we are the makers of dreams." - Willy Wonka.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2000-06-22 09:19 AM


You make me cry, you make me laugh, smile, wilt, chuckle, hold my breath...I still say we need a book by Balladeer alone...

so, there...

Sunshine

~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
Helen Keller ~~~


Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
9 posted 2000-06-22 11:30 AM


This is absolutely beautiful. At first I felt compassion for the girl, then for the robot, then for the girl again. Then I slowly began to realize that I could be that robot, at least to some extent. In fact, I think this is a flaw that most of us have, at least to some extent. Thanks for making me think.

Pete

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

10 posted 2000-06-22 11:35 AM


A message for one and all, to be sure. Superbly told tale, Balladeer.

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

11 posted 2000-06-22 03:34 PM


A ROBOT?  NOT
A POET?...DEFINATELY

the best part of this is getting to see these amazing poems that are from before my time here...

though how you choose from  all of your is beyond me...
later poet-gator
jm

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
12 posted 2000-06-22 04:14 PM


Words fail me...
..your impression made upon me is now sculpted into permanent greatness....

A master story teller, with great indepth insight....and a beautiful way of putting words to thoughts and vice-versa...

A very very sad one, this tale...be it be true to you or not, it is sorrowful indeed...

My respect to you sir...

Regards, sudhir.

P.S. I second what Karilea said. You ought to have the book to yourself and leave the second for us to laboriously fill in...



[This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 06-22-2000).]

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
13 posted 2000-06-22 04:25 PM


Wonderful! I second/third the Ballads of Balladeer idea!  
Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
14 posted 2000-06-22 04:40 PM



Balladeer, this is an amazing piece, full of wit and sadness.  Having been hurt like the girl in your poem I now often feel like I have become the robot.  What a tale you weave with your words, you never cease to amaze me with your talent Sir Balladeer! This has my vote!  

Take care,
Melissa Honeybee

HelmutB
Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 964
Canada
15 posted 2000-06-22 06:36 PM


It makes as wonder how much we can change
Loved your poem

The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.


Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
16 posted 2000-06-22 10:31 PM


Balladeer~
Nobody does it better -

'One can see a small tear streak
Down that cold, metallic cheek'

How tender the hurt is felt in your render.

'Count yourself a well-worn shoe -
A friend that I can slip into'

Wow !  Such a wonderful thought.
Love you to pieces !
~*Marge*~




~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
17 posted 2000-06-22 11:04 PM


You know, I can type in here "Thank you for your replies" but the words simply cannot convey the strong feelings of gratitude I feel toward you all. I can only say thank you all VERY much, It's a pleasure to be here with you.....
X Angel
Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521
Oregon
18 posted 2000-06-24 05:39 PM


'Deer...you always succeed in making me FEEL. I think tis why I love your poetry so much.
~Heather

PS..this is a MUST for the book

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
19 posted 2000-06-24 06:26 PM


I read this the other day... i think i remember it from a previous posting, but i'm not sure... anyway... i waited to respond because I wanted to come back and read it again... when i came back and read it for the second time.. it was like... so very fine but hard to read the second time because it's got a "grip" on reality that is so solid and real ... this poem is no robot! It is art.

You have a way of writing lines which, at first, sound "light"... but underneath, there is so much wisdom and truth... but this is not "light"... it is a light's reflection...

oh... did i mention i think this should be in the book? hehe *wink*  

-doreen

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
20 posted 2000-06-25 10:00 PM


I remember this one well! Absolutely terrific! So many emotions in one piece, compassion, anger, sadness....and there's that lesson again!  
Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
21 posted 2000-06-27 09:14 AM


Hi again, Needed to vote but never tire of reading something so beautifully written and reminds me to share with those I love, my feelings.
Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

22 posted 2000-06-28 04:08 PM


I don't think you need my vote for this to get in the book, but you got it anyway, this is one of my fav's  
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
23 posted 2000-06-28 04:19 PM


Wonderful to read again.
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
24 posted 2000-07-24 10:16 AM


I cannot describe how much I loved
this Balladeer ... so I'll simply say ... superb!

Best wishes,
/Kit

[This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 07-24-2000).]

Parker
Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
25 posted 2000-07-24 12:07 PM


Bal, I think their is a heart in that their robot. Although you might be a rusted old cyber-bot, you sure pen great story verse.

Parker

Gossamerwings
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207

26 posted 2000-07-24 01:42 PM


I cannot imagine a man with a warmer heart than you!  

Wonderfully expressive read!


Gossamerwings ;)

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Voices on the Web » The Robot

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary