The Benefactors of Mankind

THE BENEFACTORS OF MANKIND

There was a time when humanity faced the universe alone and
without a friend. Now he has creatures to help him; stronger
creatures than himself, more faithful, more useful, and absolutely
devoted to him. Mankind is no longer alone. --ASIMOV

The universe was shrunk by them. They made
The interstellar drive. They came in all
Assorted shapes and sizes. They had bade
Mankind to colonize some stars--to crawl.
Now machines even looked like humans. They
Could work and live long lives and calculate
And think, and they run and laugh and play
With children. They could also make plans and wait.
They could know destiny. A man could see
His life was short and isolated, so
He could but dream of what mankind would be.