Read the Poems

When to America I came some people called me: Fool,
And now recession’s gripped this land I’ve been forced back to school.
Most subjects I will study here it’s clear for all to see,
Were chosen just because they are the easy ones for me.

Computing’s been my life long work so cold and unfriendly,
But still the units that I take include the Language: “C”.
With Visual Basic and Access to caste my trilogy,
I need to get a balanced life, with topics new to me!

The Chabot College Class Schedule had much to tease my mind,
I knew if I could read it all there would be much to find.
For two long evenings I did spend the hours of my search,
To seek a subject far removed from the computing perch.

Logic! That could be the course; but something was confusing,
Taught as Math and Philosophy? That I found amusing!
No doubt the tutor would reveal, the truth that was behind,
The contradictions that I felt so deep within my mind.

Again I searched and hoped to find a subject I could feel
Would help me in a lot more ways and be a better deal.
Then at last it dawned on me! I should have seen it sooner!
A course to help each one of us, child or baby-boomer.

It’s obvious, in retrospect: which lessons I must take.
No matter where I get a job they will a difference make.
Its software that has helped to make Bill Gates a household name,
And if I fail to pass this course I’ll dump on him the blame.

The class of course is: MS-Word, Word Processor supreme,
But if you mention WordPerfect I promise not to scream.
Indeed if ‘ere the truth were told I would espouse E-POC.
The PSION version they call: WORD gave Microsoft a shock.

For better or worse I must concede: ‘Microsoft you’ve won!’
And so I’ll study MS-Word and try to have some fun.
MS-Word envelops the world; that is a simple fact.
It clearly has that certain thing that all the others lacked!

Early versions were delightful spelling checks included.
But those features grew so much ’til nothing was excluded.
My brain is reeling when I try: to <P–F–1>, for help.
The reams of text that then ensue they make me want to YELP!

Time’s too short to spend the day studying all that info,
Long before an hour’s up my mind is lost in limbo.
There’s oh! so much to try to learn even if you’re eager,
MS-word, it grows so fast it’s envied by the beaver.

Like any task the learning curve at first can seem immense,
But once you start to understand it gradually makes sense.
The jobs that once took days to do now I do in minutes
No longer do I fear the boss or her sudden visits.

I can smile with confidence at every task she gives me.
And with my ‘In Tray’ now quite bare; I call 'Time Out' for tea!
Today at work I’ve much more time, the time that has been gained,
From savings made through MS-Word now that I’m better trained.

Lots of work and lots of time, but now the job is easy!
Dreaded tasks of yesterday no longer make me queasy.
Not for me those late, late nights that often cause resentment.
I will spend my evening time in family contentment.

It’s not for me the daily slog which colleagues still regret.
I make the PC do the work. That is my great secret!
As I depart at five ‘o’ clock when others have to stay,
It’s MS-Word that gets my thanks. There’s nothing more to say.

PS. Thanks Bill,
                             you've made my life that little bit easier... ... ...