Sonnet: Felicity Teague, ‘Robot Dawn’

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I sensed your rising in the paper years,
when I was sitting on the garden wall
to copy edit, through my teens. My fears
were few, back then, because the threat seemed small
and I still held the tools. My pencil case
contained my biros, red and royal blue,
my trusty ruler. And at quite a pace,
the work to trim and tidy would ensue,
just as required. But slowly, over time,
the paper-scape was lost to you, your screens,
your checks, your macros. Now, you’re in your prime,
you’re winning worlds of words with your machines,
while I am, we are, shrinking, dwindling, done,
deleted. Humans, zero; robots, one.

*****

Felicity Teague writes: “Due to the advance of the robots in my profession, I’m currently exploring other employment options. These are limited as I have severe and worsening autoimmune arthritis, but I really want to keep working for as long as I can.”

‘Robot Dawn’ was first published in Snakeskin.

Felicity Teague (Fliss) has featured in a number of poetry journals and has published two collections, From Pittville to Paradise (2022) and Interruptus: A Poetry Year (2025). Since April, she has put together the monthly metrical poetry showcase Well Met, and the November issue is here.

Photo: “Greenhouses – Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens – Silver robot potted man” by ell brown is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

6 thoughts on “Sonnet: Felicity Teague, ‘Robot Dawn’”

  1. Janet Alexa Kenny's avatarJanet Alexa Kenny

    Chillingly good. The inexorable closing in of the inhuman world.

    Much sympathy. The devaluation of humanity.

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    1. Paul Burgess's avatarPaul Burgess

      I agree. This poem give such elegant, devastating expression to fears and anxieties that I think many of us have shared. It’s one of those pieces that makes me think, “I wish I’d written that.”

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    2. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

      Janet, many thanks for taking the time to read and comment on the poem. It is a closing in, yes, and so many of us feel devalued. I appreciate your sympathy 🙂

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  3. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    I’m not sure what’s happening with my account at the moment (robots?), but this is Fliss, with thanks to Janet, Paul and G for taking the time to read and comment.

    Thanks, Robin; thanks also to George Simmers, editor of Snakeskin, and to John Isbell for his customary encouragement 🙂

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