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Vending Machine
J. Scott Smith
I always marvel when I see
Someone use a vending machine
Perched upon a floor of green
It caters to both you and me
If you're rich and can afford
A nickel, dime and quarter, too
Out comes a drink, candy or chew
A trifle taken from it's hoard
But, by chance, you should arrange
The coins another, different way
And nothing comes, to your dismay
The evil thing will keep your change
You can kick and scream, and holler, too
But before you cry and begin to pout
Please notice it says "Sorry. Sold out."
"Coke Adds Life" and a polite "Thank-you"
So if you're thinking of using these things
Lest they devour your money and saving grace
Take my advice, go find another place
Where what is brought a loyal servant brings
Unlike the later Telephone Booth the subject matter of this piece has remained a bit more relevant. I don't know about you, but the infernal machines still take my money!
There are a few touches to note.
In the first stanza, the use of perched was designed to cast the machine as a sort of bird of prey, like a hawk waiting to dive down and attack, or perhaps a scavenger, like a vulture circling for scraps. Either way would work, as the machine will either steal your money outright (the hawk) or refuse to give change (the vulture.)
In the second stanza, two things are plain. First, you need to be rich to afford a vending machine. Implication: Their contents are over-priced. Second, the purchase is a trifle. The direct implication is that this is because the machine can hold so much; however, it is also meant to belittle the significance of the product itself, as most of the machines are stuffed with junk.
The third stanza was a recent personal experience. I was still feeling the effects of having exchanged both words and dignity - a truly one-sided exchange, by the way - with one of the beasts, only to notice I was trying to purchase an item by pounding on a button that faintly but clearly said "Sold Out". @#$%!
My conclusion in the final stanza? Avoid them! To this day, although I will still use a vending machine, I will only do so if there's no human-powered option available.
[jss, November 2011]
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