Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Ludd and Me

 


In days of Yore, 

'Mongst rich or poor,

Were those who toiled, and did the chores.

Oft spending years, 

Mid sweat and tears,

To learn their craft, with all their peers.

A 'weaving' flood 

Was in their blood,

Professed to follow Young Ned Ludd.

Like Robin Hood, 

He may have stood,

‘Tween dread machines and livelihood.

These weavers saw, 

In this hoopla,

A loss of work. With sheer chutzpah

Attacked machines 

And owners dreams,

And any mech’nized thing, it seems.

The years have passed, 

Machines amassed,

We’ve mechanized, both thick and fast.

They’re mostly good, 

Machines that would

Produce things faster than we could.

And these machines, 

Provide the means

Of making things from jars to jeans.

But what’s been tossed, 

And what the cost,

Have all our finer skills been lost?

That brings me to, 

My point to you,

And what I have been trying to do.

Cause now, ‘lectrics, 

With nasty clicks,

Have taken over, just for kicks.

I watch in awe, 

My toddlers paw,

And make things work without a flaw.

It makes me mean, 

Those glowing screens,

I picture buying some benzene.

And with a touch, 

(Though not too much),

Remove my source of rage and such.

And with much glee, 

I will be free,

A modern Luddite will I be!



Each month, some poetry, you'll see

There's some from Karen,

Some from me,

I hope that you enjoyed what we,

Have crafted just 

For you to see!

12 comments:

  1. Technology is such a double edged sword, isn't it. There were times when I wanted to torch the boys' hand held games too. But, if I'm going to be honest, there were times when they saved my life (like in airports or long waits of any kind).

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    1. I think that's one of my bugaboos. They handle it all SO easily! And look at me in wonder when I can't even get past the first scene in Mario 1! :)

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  2. Yes, I both love and hate the new technology, probably not so new any more. Can't imagine what awaits us in the future! Always love your wonderful poems.

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    1. A little scary, isn't it, Laurie! Driverless cars is my guess. Yikes!

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  3. I don't know how you manage to put these words together but always so evocative!

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  4. I can think of a time or two where my son's GameBoy (yes, he goes back that far) kept him occupied enough to save my sanity. But it is also nice to dream of revenge, sometimes.

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  5. Well done! It's all a mixed blessing, isn't it.

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    1. My father-in-law always said: For every advantage, there's a disadvantage. He was soooo right!

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  6. I would prefer to see fewer machines and more people in work, but today's society wants too much and wants it right now. Machines can produce at a much faster rate, so they're the boss right now. There may yet come a time when the machines will fall idle and people will once more sow, reap and harvest, comb, spin and weave, to produce the needs for their families.

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    Replies
    1. I have to admit, I love my washing machine and dishwasher. In fact machines and I get along well--as long as they are working properly! When they're not... ;)

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