The Machine

Back in the Dark Ages,
before the afternoons turned
to curdled milk,
we had a machine
made entirely of wood,
stained to look like iron
& greased with bear fat.
It creaked something wonderful,
like a house full of crickets.
It was easy to operate at
slow speeds, the idea being
to fit one’s body in among
the upright rocking levers
& dance with it, dressed like
a Siberian shaman, spool
for the spirit world’s
high-wire act. But
I made it go too fast
& it flew apart.
I found myself lying
alone on a hillside,
under the speechless stars.

10 Replies to “The Machine”

  1. For some reason I keep envisioning this as something like a children’s book, lavishly illustrated. Perhaps because it’s just so darn visual. I love it, too.

  2. I get the definite impression you would like one, or at least to try again.

    The bear fat part is especially good, and “creaked something wonderful.” I don’t quite understand afternoons turning to curdled milk, but it sounds good with the rest of the poem, and I figure I ought to be able to imagine it.

  3. Thanks for the kind words.

    Dale – I didn’t think of it as having a moral, but you’re right – i guess it does. If you want it to.

    Dick – Actually, the most direct inspiration was Jean Gimpel’s fine history, The Medieval Machine. Europeans have been obsessed with gears and levers for close to a thousand years, now. The Romans thought such things were only fit for children’s toys.

    MB – I tried and failed to find a good illustration for this post. I guess it didn’t need one, from what you’re saying.

    Beth – You mean the afternoons don’t do that where you are?

    (Oo, a winter wren just sang right outside my door! Love that.)

    Lori – Hmm. Maybe I should start charging…

  4. Dave…what kind of wood did you use? Please make another one. But you could install a speed governor in it so that you would not be able to go so fast. It might work.

  5. the wood was rubbed with used motor oil for that dark Teutonic finish…carbon in solution, a slight sheen, water beads up…ask me about this in person.

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