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You may recall my sci-fi romance, A Heaven For Toasters, taking place some 100 years in the future. Leo, the android protagonist, exhibits some distinctly human characteristics—including the ability to feel human emotions. But could Leo become a writer or poet?

The Economist recently shared an article cheekily called Don’t Fear the Writernator – a reference to literature’s terminator. What prompted this was the news that researchers have come up with a more powerful version of automated writing.

So, how afraid should we be? Is Leo about to compose a sonnet to woo Mika?

Automated Writing

Automated writing, in case you’re unfamiliar with the term, is best exemplified by Gmail’s Smart Reply feature. Gmail offers brief answers to routine emails. So, if someone asks you “shall we meet up for lunch?” Gmail suggests a variety of appropriate responses, for example, “Sure!”

More strikingly, Smart Compose kicks…

I left a kiss
by your door
If you miss me
when I am no more,
feel it in the wind
forevermore…
I left a kiss,
by your door. 

free google image/ poetry copyright neha 2020

Photo by Trust “Tru” Katsande on Unsplash

I really don’t think it’s a crime,
But I like all my poems to rhyme.
It’s possibly overly formal –
I prefer that my rhythms stay normal.

And then, if I possibly can,
I prefer every stanza to scan.
You may think I’m being effete,
But I quite like a verse with a beat.

I find that it all feels much neater
When the lines are of requisite metre,
For I really do feel it perverse
When there’s no shape or form to the verse.

So, for those who prefer their verse free,
There is no point in looking at me,
But for people who like their rhymes bad,
Stick around then, ‘cos I am your lad.

For K Morris (Poet) and James (Proclaims) with apologies for taking so long…

The Collected Poems of K. Morris is a delightful selection of poems by K. Morris. These poems are written with sensitivity and a candid eye. Poetry is more than simple rhyming and alliteration. It is rhythm and cadence. It is choosing just the right words and putting them in the correct order to draw a vivid picture in the readers mind in a manner that is pleasing to the hear. Poetry is meant to be read aloud. Morris’ relaxing tone and ease of rhyming makes his words flow smooth off the reader’s palate. In this collection of poetry, Morris  shares his unique view on death, time, nature, and everyday existence.

I give The Collected Poems of K. Morris four quills.

Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? Contact Kaye at kayebooth(at)yahoo(dot)com.