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Robert W Service - My Typewriter
Work rating: Low

I used to think a pot of ink
Held magic in its fluid,
And I would ply a pen when I
Was hoary a a Druid;
But as I scratch my silver thatch
My battered old Corona
Calls out to me as plaintively
As dying Desdemona.

"For old time`s sake give me a break:
To you I`ve been as loyal
As ever could an Underwood,
Or Remington or Royal.
The globe we`ve spanned together and
Two million words, maybe,
For you I`ve tapped - it`s time you rapped
A rhyme or two for me.

"I`ve seen you sit and smoke and spit
With expletives profane,
Then tear with rage the virgin page
I tendered you in vain.
I`ve watched you glare in dull despair
Through hours of brooding thought,
Then with a shout bang gaily out
The `word unique` you sought.

"I`ve heard you groan and grunt and moan
That rhyme`s a wretched fetter;
That after all you`re just a small
Fat-headed verse-begetter;
You`d balance me upon your knee
Like any lady friend,
Then with a sigh you`d lay me by
For weeks and weeks on end.

"I`ve known when you were mighty blue
And hammered me till dawn,
Dire poverty! But I would be
The last thing you would pawn.
Days debt-accurst! Then at its worst
The sky, behold, would clear;
A poem sold, the garret cold
Would leap to light and cheer.

"You`ve toted me by shore and sea
From Mexico to Maine;
From Old Cathay to Mandalay,
From Samarkand to Spain.
You`ve thumped me in the battle`s din
And pounded me in peace;
By air and land you`ve lugged me and
Your shabby old valise.

"But now my keys no more with ease
To your two fingers yield;
With years of use my joints are loose,
With wear of flood and field.
And even you are slipping too:
You`re puffy, stiff and grey:
Old Sport, we`re done, our race is run -
Why not call it a day?"

Why not? You`ve been, poor old machine!
My tried and faithful friend.
With fingertip your keys I`ll flip
Serenely to the end.
For even though you`re stiff and slow,
No other will I buy.
And though each word be wan and blurred
I`ll tap you till I die.
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