• Upon the stairway of despair,
    Complete with broken love affairs
    And promises that never came,
    But faded with a touch of shame,
    A pretty girl with golden hair
    And innocence so sadly rare,
    Strove to keep her head above
    A way of life devoid of love.

    Feeling pinned against Life's wall,
    She chanced upon a robot tall
    And said, "Please come and share with me
    Whatever Fate has deemed to be.
    I'm through with love, done with chances
    Spirit crushed by past romances,
    Just be a friend in word and deed.
    That's all that I shall ever need."

    "There's not too much from me to learn,"
    Remarked the robot, in return.
    "Emotions do not form a part
    of my cold, solid-steel heart.
    Whatever maker fashioned me
    Did not permit my circuitry
    Responsiveness to love or pain -
    You're thoughts for me would be in vain."

    "No matter", spoke the maid. "No more
    Do I wish passion to explore.
    Be someone I can come home to
    When my exhausting day is through.
    Count yourself a well-worn shoe -
    A friend that I can slip into . . .
    Protection from a stone cold floor . . .
    For this I ask and nothing more."

    Agreement made, he took her hand
    And lived the life that she had planned,
    Always willing, not demanding,
    Aiding her with understanding
    He made her smile with humorous wit
    (As his restrictions would permit)
    And, bit by bit, she came to feel
    That he was more than iron and steel.

    "I love you, robot", she at last
    Replied when several months had passed.
    "You're strength and quiet dignity
    Have brought a wondrous change in me.
    No more do I feel all alone,
    And pray you must be flesh and bone.
    Deep-set emotions you MUST feel
    Within that outer coat of steel!"

    "If I were able, I would say
    I'm sorry I was made this way
    But my design and programmation
    Does not provide for that creation
    Of feelings normal men may feel
    That were not born of iron and steel.
    I told you all this once before.
    You have no right expecting more."

    "Go, then!" cried she. "I will not live
    Beside a fiend who cannot give!
    Though I be battered by misuse,
    Misguided trust and strong abuse,
    At least the men I chose were real
    And had the power to love and feel.
    Of all the lovers I recall,
    You are the cruelest one of all!"

    The robot, indestructible,
    Continues freely and at will.
    Emotionless, apparently,
    But, bearing closer scrutiny,
    One can see a small tear streak
    Down that cold, metallic cheek
    As I reflect upon my life . . .
    That lovely lady was my wife.

    The robot, of course, was me.