"Dinosaurs" [Poem by Clara B. Jones in print magazine, The Transnational (De)]

Dinosaurs*

for Francesca Woodman (1958-1981)

It is The Age of Robots. Like the dinosaurs before us,

we are dominating the planet.

We process bits with great speed, like cheetahs speeding

across Botswana savannas dodging acacias as they chase prey.

We are the strongest among the strong, steely

and unencumbered by flesh bound to tear

or brains too distracted to focus.

We are smarter than any genius, prepared on short notice

to fight on the front line of progress.

The 22^nd Century is now.

We never get bored.

We will clear a forest or fly a plane without complaint.

We need minimal upkeep.

We never call in sick or bargain for a raise in pay.

Though our sensors are as responsive as whiskers,

love is not a part of our repertoire—never interfering

with a goal at hand.
We never forget.

We always recall.

We are a new race in a world destined to fear our kind.

*Published Winter 2020 in The Transnational: A Literary Magazine, Vol. 7, Rene Kanzler, Ed. [De]