The Machine
In the office is the machine
and the programmer programs
the machine
and the machine performs it's functions
as programmed
and asks no questions.
And the programmer gives power
to the machine
and the machine takes the power
and wants more.
And the machine uses it's power
to perform it's functions
as programmed.
And if you talk to the machine
it answers with clicks and buzzes
and whirrings and whinings
according to it's programming.
And you do not understand it
because you are not programmed
to understand it
and the machine does not care
because it is not programmed to care;
it is only a machine.
And at night, the machine stops
and goes home
and feeds it's young
and mates with it's mate
and tries to pretend that
it is not a machine
and then it sleeps.
And in the morning
the machine begins again
and performs its functions
as programmed
and asks no questions.
Tony Thorpe