In the robot age we would do well to ask
I have read the ancient manuscripts
That warn of dragons and sea monsters
On the edge of maps
Once the pinnacle of current technology
I know the perils of navigation and do not trust the robots
Even though there are some storied machines I love
Yes, even in these modern times,
We still need the lightkeepers
To warn us off the rocks and shoals
To guide us toward safe harbor
We must protect the lighthouses and their tenders
For the sake of our shared history and their stark beauty in the dark
But also because we do not dare place our entire fates within the grasp of the robots
Or their makers
We know that lighthouses can stand most tests and still catch our eyes on the horizon
While robots do not easily navigate delicate tasks
Like shining a warning light.