R O B B I E (psychotronic love)

English [Shakespearean] Sonnet

R O B B I E

His tungsten frame and shell buffed gleaming bright,
sharp positronic brain with laser eyes,
each pinioned joint was smoothly torqued just right;
’twas said that Robbie is the perfect size,

to fit in every way in every place,
a robot needs to be to fill his tasks;
each wiring circuit made to interface,
so he’ll perform what anyone should ask.

They were surprised about the heart he grew;
“It was a miracle!” is what they said.
When Robbie met the lovely robot, Soo …
It’s then their polished chrome turned glowing red.

Who could have known two robots of their kind,
might ever meet and true love they would find?

Richard W. Jenkins
©2015

"1st PLACE WINNER!"

神人

in

Taiwan Robot Writer's Contest

(this rendition is for the Taiwan robot contest)

R O B B I E

他鎢框架'外殼拋光亮閃閃發光，

銳正電子大腦與激光眼睛，

每個pinioned-節順利扭轉恰到好處;

“第三世界'學院說，羅"是完美的大小，

以適應各種方式的每一個地方，

一個機器人需要做到這一點罷了，他的任務;

每個佈線電路做接口，

所以他將執行什麼樣的人應™問。

他'很驚訝有-他成長的心臟;

“這是一個奇蹟！”是他'說的。

當羅"遇到了可愛的機器人，秀...

它是那麼的拋光鍍鉻變成深紅。

誰能認識兩個同類機器人，

他�'可能會遇到真正的愛情�-�？

Richard W. Jenkins
©2015

Author's Note

"Robbie" is the main robotic character in a short story by science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov. It was his first robot story, and writing commenced on June 10, 1939. It was first published in the September, 1940 issue of Super Science Stories magazine.
My poem has no similarity to Asimov's robot, other than his coined name, "positronic brain", the idea that robots can love, and Asimov's Three Robotic Laws:
I. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
II. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
III. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Constructive critique is always welcome. : )

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

A fun write on a traditionally 'love' format. Had me feeling quite touched by these two young lovers. BUT, what frightening implications lie within this sonnet! If robots could feel and have emotions? They could also suffer and hate!!! I don't think there would be any hope at all for the human race. But I am glad you won first prise. It is a lovely perfect sonnet.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Astri,
Your knowing, wise words and thoughts always touch me in some impacting way.

Warmest hugs, Dear Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Great Aunt Astri]

Thank you Richard (I've been in hospital .... but back again, feeling better than ever!)

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Lady Astri : )
How splendid to hear from you, and to know you're all better and raring to go!

Thanks for letting me know … big HUGS! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Hayley]

This is a wonderful sonnet, Richard. I love the idea of robots being able to feel not just regular old human emotions, but love as well. I hope this budding robot romance goes successfully! If you wouldn't mind me giving you a recommendation of something to read, I suggest looking at the short story "Robotnik," by Lavie Tidhar. It's about a former supersoldier (who also happens to be a cyborg) falling in love with a young human woman. I think it could be up your alley.

[Richard🖌]

A most embracing review, Hayley,
Most empathetically relatable few, only those with a love for sci-fi would grip completely and in the right way … as I do.
"Sometimes you had to figure heaven could come from another human being and not just in a pill (speaking of.
Sometimes."
Marvelous, original imagery swims throughout Tidnar's "Robotnik" in such ways one cannot help but become part of the story, itself.
Something that struck me was Tidnar's use of "sometimes you had to figure heaven could come from another human being and not just in a pill.
Something that struck me (other than the gloriously captivating writing style and imaginative originality) was why Tidnar (being a Yiddish-speaking Hebrew), would use "Ich liebe dich", the German diction of "I love you", rather than the Yiddish equal, "Ikh hab dir lib" (just a thought shared).

You certainly hit the proverbial nail on the head when you thought "'Robotnik' could be right up my alley" … I felt your touch in every verse … thank you most gratefully, Hayley ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Hayley]

I thought you would like it. It's part of a larger collection of short stories, "Central Station." There's a similar writing style, and a variety of eclectic characters, though Motl is probably my favorite.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Hayley,
I can certainly see why he would be … quite the amazing cyborg.

[kitty]

The saying,"Man, man for the woman is made and the woman is made for man..." Is portrayed in this gripping piece. It has a certain sentimentality about it also a romantic feel transcending creativity. Beautifully 'constructed' to show the assimilation of gender in perfect alignment. No critique, only recognition of a wonderful piece. Thank you for sharing this idea.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Kitty Dear 🌼
It would take a perfect woman to recognize perfection, and though the woman may be perfect, this olde bard most certainly is far from it; but, whatever you say about me and my poetry, I'm keeping. ; )
If humans can produce a functional robot, then (if we can love), why not give it this gift, too.

It's wonderful to imagine, anyway, eh?
Thanks for sprinkling your sweetness upon my page! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

Your poetry has the power to inspire other writers, showing different ways of making our craft more innovative and aspiring in so many ways. Thank you for sharing 'quality' posts.

[Einstein Noodle]

had to check this out Richard ... on a robot no less!!! ;) i appreciate the fun part of this but its not me favorite of yours ... probably me biases at work there ... so surprised you used the form for such a subject ... but hey! this is poetry :))))))))))) great pic ... big congrats on winning the 1st Place .. lots of movies out on robots with the directives in your Notes .. just now reading a novelette by Dean Koontz about a robot world in which humans are extinct .... but are they????????? bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuahahahaha! later dude!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Dear Gene,
The Sonnet is known for expressing love, eh? LOL!
Honestly, though ("have I no shame?"), of all the topics I've penned with sonnets, this is a rare occasion for me to veer so broadly afield of what would normally be considered good taste in this form, and merely for the sake of complying with a contest. But, I guess I was just in a sonneteering mood and wanted something different and surprising … so, here it is, in all its gleaming glory! I doubt I'll ever do one like this again, but how can one foretell the mind of an artist?
On the other hand, this composition clearly displays the amazing flexibility and virtually limitless versatility of the challenging Sonnet form.
I've read a number of Koontz's novella … quite a writer, with a brilliant imagination; and, isn't imagination such an intricately necessary, creative part of what poetry is all about?

Thanks for the fun read, My Friend, and for sharing your keen take … isn't science fiction phenomenal!⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

yes it is ... it most certainly is! :)

[R.M.C]

Another really good Sonnet. I was initially surprised to see the two robots at the top hugging and wasn't sure what to expect from the poem... but like always, the picture you've chosen compliments the poem perfectly. I imagine this being one of the hardest to write but you've pulled it off to an exceptional level. I especially like the implication of Love being a greater power than that which humans can fully comprehend, which I believe it is. Very good.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Ross!
Your appetite for poetry is certainly my stroke of luck, for I love to have mine attended and flowered by deep, knowing readers — such as yourself.
Robots hugging, yes, and even more weird, they are romantically embracing … goodness-ME! Even I had doubts I could compose anything worthy when I was asked to write something for the Taiwan Robot Poet Contest. I suppose one is never really challenged until they step outside the boundary of their comfort zone, but to earn 1st Place truly surprised and amazed me … such an honor bestowed upon this humble, simple bard.
"Love" … it is quite a quandary that it is so varied and illusive no one can explain it, and even more-so that it is defined, expounded upon, and circumvented by humankind, attributed even to animals. One can but wonder at its power.

I gracefully, gratefully bow to your thoughtfully feeling-filled words in review, My Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

An aside:
While gazing into my dog's adoring, trustful, and dedicated eyes and face, I am more than a little convinced he loves me unconditionally … far more than I am humanly capable of loving him.

[Roland Petrov]

This was a truly unexpected find, Richard. I had you pegged as the pastoral type, but these are robots, with not a shepherd boy nor sheep in sight! And it's an English sonnet, no less! I am pleasantly amazed.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Roland,
By "pastoral", you could mean Arcadian or priestly, neither of which answers to my past or present.

I thought you'd be chuffed by this offbeat, wayward Sonnet; particularly, the subject matter, but it goes to prove how anything can be effectively penned, in any form, if one becomes adept enough, eh?

Thank you, My Friend, for enjoying this rare and unusual effort! 〜 Richard

[marcus]

Very interesting. So many poems written about love and the 'heart'. But where does love really come from? And is it limited to humans? A lighthearted and fun poem, but with far deeper currents, flowing beneath the surface.

[Richard🖌]

Good points to ponder, Marcus.
While gazing into my dog's adoring, trustful, and dedicated eyes and face, I am more than a little convinced he loves me unconditionally … far more than I am humanly capable of loving him.

Thank you for your very interesting comments and your much enjoyed review! 〜 Richard

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Richard,

Wonderful to have been introduced to your poetry. A very nice piece, again with an excellent flow. You are a master of the craft to be sure.

Greatly enjoyed.

Very best regards,

Rick

[Richard🖌]

Rick,
I cannot thank you enough for choosing this rare and unusually penned Sonnet to read and comment on, and from your expressed praise and appreciation, I am more gratified and encouraged than I've words to convey.

Please, let me express what a sincere pleasure it has been to share my poem with you! 〜 Richard

[Rick Puetter]

Thanks, Richard. It was my pleasure. I have been a fan of Asimov since I was introduced to his work as a boy and it was a pleasure to read your piece. And I think we are close to seeing real and honest to goodness AI in our daily lives. I think it is much less than 50 years away from being rather commonplace. Best regards, Rick

[Richard🖌]

I hope you're right, Rick … thanks again!

[Perkele.7885]

Everything you have done here is awesome, top-shelf! You being the author of the poem and all, if there were a community of such similar robotic "entities" (male and female as these two are , Robbie and Soo)and they were to start pairing off and wanting to spend the rest of their robotic' lives together which included naturally a robotic wedding of course; for joy for joy, oh robotic happiness! But now, Tinker 1 and Tommy 5 wanted to marry. Could they? Or would they have to settle for a Metal to metal coupling?

[Richard🖌]

Many sincere thanks for your nice compliment to this sooo weird Sonnet, Perkele.
As to your scenario, t'would a poem in the making for you and your fertile imagination to compose, Dear Poet

Thank you once again, Perkele, for your visit and for selecting one of my poems to read and review! 〜 Richard

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Reminded me of 'Real Steel'!
Love is a miracle in itself for its tendency to bloom anywhere and between anyone.
Love is the realisation of eternal affinity!
Great poem, fantasy of love!
The ending is amazing!

[Richard🖌]

Oh-BOY!
Another review for you!
This must be my very lucky day. : )
Fortunately, my robots were not pressed into fighting one another, but in loving, I guess; although, I truly am a warrior, in this Sonnet, affection won my pen (and my heart) over, Jyoti … thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully! 〜 Richard

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

You are very welcome.

[Richard🖌]

=(:-]~ ~[-:)=