Wednesday, October 16, 2013

"Appreciation" and "Administrative Assistant"


This first poem is linked with G-Man's "Friday Flash 55" and is another "take" on the poem I wrote below.  I've also linked this first poem with "The Mag #190".

Would you like to hear me read my poem?


Check this out on Chirbit

Appreciation

I never did learn
to play fetch, "wag my tail",

nor view you
with adoring eyes -

always thankful
others enjoyed your pats

upon their pretty behinds -
one you even took home.

Tried to keep the gleam
out of my eyes

when her "foxy" bite
finally made you sing soprano -

made you appreciate
my bull-dog gaze.

by Margaret Bednar, October 17, 1013

Photo by Scavengercat8o8.  Used for "The Mag #190"


The Administrative Assistant

'Coffee, hot.  Eight sharp.
Large carafe, whether I'm here
or not.  (inhale)  And babe,
(exhale) ashtray dumped,
wiped clean, 10 & 2

and fetch my dry-cleaning
mid-week at noon." (grinds stub -
half smiles), "Be sure
to take five for lunch.

Oh, 'bout the cute
transcriptionist scheduled
today from 3:00 - 4:00 -
(winks) ... hold all calls."

I smile, turn, roll my eyes,
and meet his in the mirror.

by Margaret Bednar, October 16, 2013

Yeah, this job was very short-lived.  The smoke would roll out of his office, I suggested a smokeless ashtray - he laughed.  This is actually based on two bosses and I rolled them into one "monster".
I did have a few wonderful bosses - they weren't all jerks.

My daughter painted the image above - it's a detail - and I thought the gaze was perfect for the sharing of this memory - I wonder to this day how I kept my expression "neutral".

This is for "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Words Count with Mama Zen" - National Boss's Day & keep it 67 words or less.  
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33 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 17, 2013 at 1:27 AM

    maybe you didn't keep your gaze neutral.

    predators seek prey. i get the distinct impression that you were/are not.

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  2. Kay L. DaviesOctober 17, 2013 at 1:51 AM

    I've never been able to do the neutral thing, either. All my thoughts and opinions are written on my face.
    I love the detail from Chelsea's painting, though. It's perfect for your poem.
    The closest I ever got to one of those men was a boss who sent me out to buy five bottles of Chanel No. 5 as Christmas presents for the women on our floor, and told me to keep one for myself.
    K

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  3. kaykualaOctober 17, 2013 at 5:54 AM

    They make all kinds. Some are good some were just nauseous. It would be hell if one could not get along with the boss. Great write Marge! You struck it most accurately!

    Hank

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  4. Kathryn DycheOctober 17, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    It's amazing what some bosses used to get away with . . . and still do.

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  5. OutlawyerOctober 17, 2013 at 8:10 AM

    Wonderful pic--and not neutral at all! Or at least it is colored by the poem. I don't think this is so common now but definitely describes a time. Thanks, Margaret. K.

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  6. OutlawyerOctober 17, 2013 at 8:10 AM

    that is Manicddaily--I am on a mobile device that wants to use blogger ID.

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  7. JeanneOctober 17, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    Love the art, and perfect for your poem

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  8. Kerry O'ConnorOctober 17, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    My friend often tells me to rearrange my face at some of the more ludicrous statements made by our principal. I need that neutral gaze.

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  9. TexWisGirlOctober 17, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    your daughter's painting is extraordinary! yikes to the job...

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  10. SusanOctober 17, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    The Dean where I taught said she'd watch my face at the back of the department meetings to get a reading on what she was saying. That was embarrassing at times. I love the link of visual detail, narration, and the eyes in the mirror. He said it to get the reaction, and I don't think the narrator disappointed him. What a jerk.

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  11. HelenOctober 17, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    I can relate ... Had one of those smoking fiends once upon a time ... A private detective! Guess it goes with the job description?

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  12. Brian MillerOctober 17, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    ha. pretty funny that he caught you in the mirror and makes me wonder as well the rest of that story....my worst boss would remind us quite often how the world revolved around him....my fav bosses have been women...

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  13. Maude LynnOctober 17, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    I SO wish that I had written this. Perfect, Margaret.

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  14. TALONOctober 17, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    Loved both pieces, Margaret. I smiled at the doggie through the fence pic. :) Yeah, some bosses are just horrific. But the good ones make up for the hideous ones. Mind you, the hideous ones do make for some fabulous poetry. :)

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  15. MaryOctober 17, 2013 at 10:47 PM

    You've definitely characterized these particular men well in your poetry. I smiled at the 'singing soprano' in the '55!

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  16. Susie ClevengerOctober 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Loved both pieces...so good to hear you reading your work. There are lots of bad bosses, but there are the good ones out there also. Just seem a little harder to find.

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  17. Alice AudreyOctober 17, 2013 at 11:05 PM

    That's a painting? I thought it was a photograph. The eyes show such intelligence. And it goes perfectly with the first poem.

    LOL on the mirror.

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  18. G-ManOctober 17, 2013 at 11:50 PM

    Margaret Bednar....
    Loved the painting
    Loved hearing your voice
    Loved your snippy 55
    Cherish and appreciate your friendship. Thanks for playing, thanks for your staunch support, and please have a Kick Ass Week-End

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  19. GraceOctober 18, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Loved the painting of your daughter ~ Thank goodness I never had such a boss like that ~ They are all professionals but you could never tell with the look though - They are all hard core professionals inside ~

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  20. hedgewitchOctober 18, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    Loved both versions Margaret, but that abrasive boss personality really comes through in the second. Lovely portrait by your daughter, also.

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  21. Kerry O'ConnorOctober 18, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Your second take on "bosses" is equally excellent, Margaret. I had a good laugh, but also really appreciated the opportunity to hear you read your work.

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  22. AnonymousOctober 18, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    These are both wonderful. I must say, your monster bosses certainly sound familiar.

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  23. AnonymousOctober 18, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Wow, Margaret, that additional take has pointed teeth! Fluid and sharp ~

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  24. Jennifer WagnerOctober 18, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    I love "Appreciation"...great spunk! I was an Admin Assistant for a while and can relate... Chelsea's painting is fabulous as usual!

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  25. MarianOctober 18, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    oohhhhh, i can really relate. excellent.

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  26. AnonymousOctober 18, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Hey Margaret-- I don't think I saw appreciation before. Very clever! Watch out, womanizing guys! k.

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  27. AnonymousOctober 18, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Hey Margaret-- I don't think I saw appreciation before. Very clever! Watch out, womanizing guys! k.

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  28. Raining IguanasOctober 19, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    I somehow knew this comment line would fill quickly. A few years ago I had to let someone go. The circumstances and the fact that we were friends made it extremely difficult. My boss told me to,"Take the emotion out of it." Soon after I started my blog and I have been putting the emotion into every step I take. Out of bad bosses come good things. Your wonderful poem is proof. I appreciate that.

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  29. Yvonne OsborneOctober 19, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    Hi Margaret!
    Are there still bosses out there like this? Ugh. And, yes, how do we keep our gazes neutral? Very good question. Very clever poem and beautiful drawing...all we need to see is one eye.

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  30. Ginnie HartOctober 19, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    Don't you wonder how some bosses came to BE bosses in the first place! My daughter has one right now that wants to please everyone and ends up making a mess of almost everything...and he doesn't get it. (sigh)

    Did I ever mention to you how TALENTED your family is!!! (maybe a hundred times already)

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  31. Grandmother MaryOctober 19, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    Love your daughter's painting and yech to the boss! You were well out of that job!

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  32. humbirdOctober 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    Nice to hear your voice, Margaret! Painting - wow! Sharp poems!! Thank you!

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  33. FireblossomOctober 20, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    I'm especially partial to the first one, and that photo of the dog is priceless!

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