Mechanisms
cogs, wheels, clocks
large turning gears
a clatter and a clang
such industrious workings
springs, locks, pins
together acting as a whole
replacing a human element
that was unreliable before
making things better
allowing life to go on
which is all well and good
until it's a coping              
mechanism
that you need
because yours
has broken down
and the store sign
only says
PARTS OUT OF STOCK.