In A World Of Automation Poem by O. A.

In a World of Automation

To withdraw some cookies
Or some Yakiudon noodles
From a vending machine
Is just the start to the day
Of automated, machined dreams.

In a world of automation:
A car window, sliding itself up or down
A driverless bus, going around and around
A taxi driverless, Uber-like car
A bank that has no tellers anymore
A mall with robots retailing stores
A grocery store that has self-checkouts
Is what a world of automation is about.

In a world of automation,
There is no room for philosophers
There is no room for poets
There is no room for sociologists
Unless they adhere to writing technicalities
About vending machines not operating well.

In a world of automation,
Everyone participates, no one is left behind
If there is a camera that follows you
Throw up an enigmatic 'Peace' sign!
Unless you feel, being off the grid
Is about sitting by yourself all of the time.

In a world of automation,
There is only room for ascension
There is only room for elevation
There is only room for suspension
Unless one thinks that everything won't run
Smoothly for most of the automated day.

To sit in a corner, and watch the world
To sit in a corner, and comment on things learned
To sit in a corner, and watch the clouds
To sit in a corner, and comment on things outloud
Will be a thing of the past soon.

For we philosophers, poets and sociologists
Like the psychologists and shrinks of the day
Will be too busy writing technicalities
About automated, machined dreams:
Speaking truths.

O.A.