(87) The Robot

The robot serves his mistress
Helps her bathe and dress
Combs her fine blond hair
The robot treats her with care

But he is not allowed to feel
Not allowed any emotion to steal
He knows if emotions he enjoyed
They would have him destroyed

In secret he hides his love for her
The robot knows it can not go further
He can never love like a human being
The robot can only just be a machine

Why he has these feelings he is unsure
He knows if he had a heart it would be pure
His mistress would never want a robot lover
And the robot could never serve another

And some nights he wants to be able to cry
But unlike his mistress, he can never die
Able to live for all time, she could never
But the robot, he was built to last forever




copyright Chris Smith 2007

Author's Note

Could even robots have a soul?

Reviews

[Sukriti Suki]

Nice one Chris. Many of us humans are robots too without souls so I think yes robots could have a heart...I loved how you described that the robot had to live forever, unlike the mistress...that is very deep and sad.
You are a master of words and imagination.

[LA Lorena]

perhaps the robot is not really a robot, but just one who acts as an automaton, so used to repressing feelings that they no longer appear to have them. Life has just become a ritual of doing, devoid of feeling and emotion.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A slightly magical formation of unnecessary and deluded sense of spirit, I love you play and toying with emotions and lack of serendipity in bless earth. Well written, a great read, well done.

[Bill Grimke-Drayton]

This poem is not about a robot - i.e. a machine! However, the person feels like a machine which should have no feellngs about the situation he faces everyday of his life. He lives to be on constant duty to serve in whatever way is required. He is supposed to be immortal as far as the person he is caring for. Death is not an option for him, despite the fact he is denying his humanity by attempting to put off the inevitable.
However, is this a description of a marriage or relationship which is lopsided with one partner acting out the part of a doormat? With the other as the dominant one calling the shots?
For the person who feels they are like a robot, their heart has been taken out. The heart which beats with emotion. The person has become some kind of zombie. Incapable of expressing what has been suppressed for so long that he almost cannot believe that he has such feelings after all. Even his love for his "mistress". This word is not used as a "bit on the side" but in the literal sense - the one whom he must obey. The word is the female form of "master".
Thank you for sharing this excellent poem. It reveals perhaps more than was intended.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Excellent.....I saw a movie once like this, it was scary!

[Lily Mae]

With the loyalty and love he holds for her ...I think there would have to be a soul:) x
Great write Chris..

[Thea Fuentebella]

an unusually sad love story. i was touched by this. great write!

[Audrey Howitt]

Sad poem for me. It speaks to unrequited love in all its forms. Good write!

[emona]

this is a good one i love how you put it in a story and still held the flow of a poem excellent work ^^

[SpokenWord]

At times I wish I could be a robot and not feel for awhile and other times I am glad I am human and can feel. Robots maybe able to develop a sense of feelings but I am sure they lack the actual chemical that makes feel love so strongly. Just my thoughts. Good write and look into the workings of a machine who is also vulnerable to the presence of a woman.

[Carrie Manor]

Aww! I feel sorry for the robot, a rather pitiful, but good write. (: