“All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace”

By Richard Brautigan

I like to think (and
the sooner the better!)
of a cybernetic meadow
where mammals and computers
live together in mutually
programming harmony
like pure water
touching clear sky.
I like to think
(right now, please!)
of a cybernetic forest
filled with pines and electronics
where deer stroll peacefully
past computers
as if they were flowers
with spinning blossoms.
Things to think about: (1) Does the title hold
any significance or meaning? (2) What are the
images in this poem? What does the use of
those images accomplish, (as far as the poem’s
overall meaning)? (3) What seems to be the
tone of this poem, and how do you know? (4)
What do you think is the poem’s overall
meaning? (5) Why do you think the poet chose
to use parentheses in this poem? What do they
accomplish?
Think about these questions and jot down
responses you would like to remember, so we
can have a meaningful discussion of this poem..
I am not going to collect answers. In general,
mark the poem for meaning. Look up words
you don’t know, read the poem several times, at
least one of those times, read it aloud..

I like to think
(it has to be!)
of a cybernetic ecology
where we are free of our labors
and joined back to nature,
returned to our mammal
brothers and sisters,
and all watched over
by machines of loving grace.