That Strange Ill Fitting Cog
Wrote this poem a while back when I felt my creative juices flowing again after being a bit burnt out and overwhelmed my life. This is a venting metaphor, a bit of a well worn one but still a good one in my opinion at least. Originally posted in November 2021.
*That Strange Ill Fitting Cog *
*By: A.X. Bueno *
There's a curious little cog whirring in this seemingly eternal machine
It looks out of place and almost malfunctioning next to the other cogs which comparatively look hard working and pristine
It does it's job well enough, as best as it can
Still being out of place means it struggles but ultimately functions and fits into the plan
But it wasn't really made for or properly fits into this machine that very slowly wears it down
It could use a machine that would accommodate the different way it works but there isn't one around
So it toils away and strains under the pressure of the machine for which it is unprepared
Those who own and run the machine don't need to do more than pretend they've ever cared
They cover it in polish, double check it still works and then act like there's no problem here
Of course when you actually look at the state of the machine why they do that becomes clear
The machine; it's outdated, decrepit, overextended, bloated with overburdened parts
Should have been replaced what seems like a century ago
But of course it's easier to ignore or merely gloss over that since it does less to effect the charts
Less is affected by letting things run as they are instead of fixing or replacing what might anyday blow
So that cog not made for this but functional and the too ancient for this machine continue to be worked into the ground
And it's hoped that no one worth being concerned about really notices or will know
Eventually though after too much time, pressure and strain the cog finally shatters, its pieces scattering around
It is broken now slowing down the machine for mere moments but already a new cog is inbound
They're easy to replace for those who don't care
So they put in this new cog and throw that old cogs bits in the garbage somewhere
This new cog also doesn't quite fit but it still does the work in the machine
So the cycle continues as always regardless of whatever problems or future destruction that remains to be seen