When I read a book on Google
Scanned from paper onto screen,
I forget the steady labor
Of the scanner, sight unseen.
Then I see your lovely fingers
You’re the one who took the care,
You’re the one who turned the pages.
Now I know you’re hiding there.
How tedious that job must be! I wonder how often pages are mistakenly un-scanned because too many pages are flipped at once. Are there any checks on that, I wonder? I bet not...
great little poem. I am always disappointed to find the ancient book i am hunting for is NOT available on google books, not without a price, anyway.. :-(
Somehow it is nicer to think that the eBooks were scanned, page by page, by a dedicated, careful person. I'd still rather turn the pages myself, though.
Haha! Brilliant, a truly 21st century sonnet. Going to share this with some of my Special Collections friends :)
ReplyDeleteHow tedious that job must be! I wonder how often pages are mistakenly un-scanned because too many pages are flipped at once. Are there any checks on that, I wonder? I bet not...
ReplyDeletegreat little poem. I am always disappointed to find the ancient book i am hunting for is NOT available on google books, not without a price, anyway.. :-(
ReplyDeleteand yes, Tom there are mistakes.
Very clever Mr. Gurney: What a wonderful insight into an unseen world.
ReplyDeleteI always meant to write a novel under the pen name Paige Turner...
ReplyDeleteFinger condoms from now!
ReplyDeleteThe fingers match the taffeta dress from the previous post.
ReplyDeleteSomehow it is nicer to think that the eBooks were scanned, page by page, by a dedicated, careful person. I'd still rather turn the pages myself, though.
ReplyDelete