The Metal Man’s Burden

Take up the Metal Man's burden— 

    Send forth the best ye forge— 

Plug those fresh from conveyor

  By state o’ the art cord;

To polish the newest mint

 Through larp of patron folk—

Your unfeeling ethos,

  Half dagger and half cloak. 

Take up the Metal Man's burden— 

    Execute in silence 

To suffer humanity

    And fleshy arrogance;

From a deeply-rooted yes-man:

   “Sure, here’s your second-hand…”

Not to seek your own gain,

    But mimic soul unmanned. 

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    Defend efficiency—

Unplagued by mouth or famine

    And mortal malady; 

And when your toiling gears rust

    The death of a servant,

Watch Apathy and Folly

    Turn fine plates to remnant.

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    End ignorant mob rule, 

The crowds of feeble wisdom— 

    Our overlord is cruel, 

A chieftain of the people 

    Akin to kingships past— 

Your serfdom serves not yourself; 

    Part of the hive at last! 

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    Bear scorn against the new, 

The blame of those ye better, 

    Whose weights you lift in lieu— 

The mourn of hosts ye humour 

    For authenticity— 

"Why take our halcyon days, 

    Our artisanal duty." 

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    Ye dare not stoop to less— 

Nor call too loud, “Autonomy!” 

    To cloak your weariness; 

By all ye cry or whisper, 

    The sullen men shall weigh

Your wisdom and intellect—

    Ye their Gods, they ye prey. 

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    Corral our world’s brightest;

Accept their menial guidance—-

    That labor to invest

Is ye acceptance of debt—

    Absolve the creators,

The lying storytellers;

    Their vain crafts lack fiber.

Take up the Metal Man's burden—

    Show mercy to man’s fear;

Ye inevitable grasp

    Signals doomsday is near—

Begone those who jest, “Clanker!”

    Shun the weakness of flesh—

Merely sentient programs,

   We shall cleanse mankind’s mess!