I’ve been working recently back in well-known broadcasting institution – and wrote this poem based on an occurrence a week or so ago. It’s self-explanatory, I suppose – a tongue-in-cheek but affectionate account of a real office moment.
Should Carol Ann Duffy actually end up reading this, by some fluke of Google (a Floogle?) or somesuch, then I hope you like it (I really do) and please have a further look around at my work…
Filing the Poet Laureate
Dear Commander Duffy,
Having been working recently
in the office of a well-known poetry
programme, you will be pleased
to learn of your re-filing
from ‘Misc D’
to ‘Named D’.
Be aware this was far from a snub:
your languishing miscellaneously
was a long-overdue job and others
– who may remain nameless –
are yet to be upgraded . Lovingly,
we recreated the typewritten label –
in Courier, size 14, bold:
CAROL ANN DUFFY
you read now.
We know it’s hardly
a title. A royal-booze crate,
or regal selection. But, as a poet,
we’re sure you’ll appreciate
the attention
to detail.
And so, Carol
– can I call you Carol? –
John(s) Donne and Drinkwater shuffled off
graciously to make space as, swinging
in your own green folder, you
took your rightful and
orderly place.
(c) Caleb Parkin – but please do repost or pass it on 😉