Bolshy Robot
I'm doing a deal
with Stain-Liz Steel
a simple robot task.
I programme in,
Go find my hat
But she ignores my ask...
A red light blinks,
Two white lights flash,
A sound goes Bleep, Bleep, Bleep...
The screen says,
Boot device not found
It makes you want to weep.
Input failed,
purrs Stain-Liz Steel
sounding weirdly
like my Mum
I tap the message in again
and still the job's NOT done.
Put up your fists
I crossly type –
silence . . .
just one white light.
User error, says the screen,
I'm not programmed to fight.
with Stain-Liz Steel
a simple robot task.
I programme in,
Go find my hat
But she ignores my ask...
A red light blinks,
Two white lights flash,
A sound goes Bleep, Bleep, Bleep...
The screen says,
Boot device not found
It makes you want to weep.
Input failed,
purrs Stain-Liz Steel
sounding weirdly
like my Mum
I tap the message in again
and still the job's NOT done.
Put up your fists
I crossly type –
silence . . .
just one white light.
User error, says the screen,
I'm not programmed to fight.
This poem is copyright (©) Jane Newberry 2026

About the Writer
Jane Newberry
Jane Newberry is an all-sorts poet and songwriter living in Cornwall. Her book of play-rhymes Big Green Crocodile was shortlisted for the prestigious CLIPPA award in 2021. The new baby is Big Red Dragon, published by Otter-Barry Books in August 2024. Jane is widely published online and in magazines and anthologies.