IV
Humans have always been
Keen to communicate;
Cave paintings and pictograms -
Cuneiform - chalk on slate.
When Caxton started printing books
For ordinary folk to read
Did he know that he'd planted
A revolutionary IT seed?
And as we embark upon
The 21st century
Supersonic speed is reached
In Information Technology.
Broadband is de rigeur
For a modern machine
And tera-bytes will soon be here
For the really keen.
Google - Skype - web-cam -
It's great when they're o.k.
But even a sophisticated computer
Can have an odd off-day.
When it just will not work
You very soon reach a stage -
(Past annoyance and anger)
Of all-consuming rage.
The same statement appears again
And again - no less - no more,
Until you could smash it up
Or throw it on the floor.
I thump the keys and curse it -
It remains passive, but unbowed.
Computers are superior beings
And they're not easily cowed.
I threaten to get rid of it,
To throw it out and then
Return to the stress-free calm
Of parchment and quill pen!
(Of course I don't really mean it)
To Helen (with many thanks)
