Machines of "Loving Grace"

Without giving much thought reading the poem, Richard Brautigan's All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace, it can be summarized as a wishful poem about the coexistence of machines and nature. However, there are several factors that make the poem to be more of an satire, rather than genuine hope of coexistence between technology and organic components.

Brautigan's poem is divided into 3 short paragraphs and the first two lines of each paragraph begins with “I like to think,” immediately followed by “(and the sooner the better!)” for first paragraph, “(right now, please!)”, for second, and “(it has to be!)” for last. The phrase “I like to think” is a wishful remark but it is used as a sarcasm, because of the parenthesized phrases. The purpose of parentheses are to send the message or meaning of previously mentioned word or phrase as direct as possible. However, In poems, poets use more clever way to express their thoughts or feelings into their work, yet, Brautigan uses parentheses to further emphasize the phrase, “I like to think” shows that Brautigan actually does not want or believe in coexistence of machines and nature.

Although the parentheses might be deliberate part of Brautigan's poem, the description of machine and nature are clearly shown. First paragraph take place in “cybernetic meadow,” “cybernetic forest” in second, and “cybernetic ecology” for the last. There is clear progression in the scale of place where “mammals and computers/ live together in mutually” and “deer stroll peacefully/ pass computers.”

Up until this point, Brautigan's poem can be viewed either pro-coexistence or con-coexistence between machine and nature. However, the last two lines of the poem, “and all watched over/ by machines of loving grace.” which is also the title of this poem brings more negative side of relationship between machine and nature. The last two lines give the feeling of restriction, control, and dominance by the machines. Brautigan brings the possibilities of machines and nature being together and pursuit of peace and harmony; however, natures are “watched over” like they have been checked by surveillance camera throughout this poem. In the end, the wishfulness of coexistence is crushed and nature is full of “machines of loving grace.”