Author: tq1695

Most of my life has been spent on the bench, occasionally called into the game by extravagance or attenuation. Waiting has turned a loner into a recorder - nondescript and inconsequential, more not noticed than overlooked - the non-vantage point of children not yet considered old enough to understand. Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry is a lifetime of picking anecdotes up and not throwing them away. Stories collected like odds and ends placed in a box in the basement, the garage, the garden shed - uncertain as to what their use might be but knowing that one day there might be one.
Posted in Before the Rain

Brief

Posted on by tq1695

The Director wasn’t at work on my first day
on my second, he spoke to me :
The workplace as museum exhibit –
in the early 1980’s, staff didn’t speak to the Director,
he – there weren’t any she’s – spoke to staff.

At lunch he gazed to where I was sitting.
After he left the room
his secretary came over –
“the Director wants to see you … at 3:30.”

Before my time he smoked a pipe
later, when considered almost okay,
I witnessed much air pipe smoking.
He spoke as if he was,
as if his words faced an obstacle –
phrases rushed,
slowed,
climbed, dropping to full sentences.

Speaking: production and transmission
clunking diction fires bullet points
  – This should be our only meeting.
  – I was responsible to,
  – and the responsibility of, the senior scientist.
  – Bryan will ….
  – Applicants had proved less than ideal … “you’ve been given a chance.”
“I appreciate the …”

This is not a dialogue,
he speaks over ….
One final directive –
in red and underlined.
This is a small town workplace –
fitting in, is of equal importance as finesse.

Posted in Before the Rain

First Day

Posted on by tq1695

The corridor is carpeted,
no vinyl or linoleum.
One door from the end
the guide knocks and turns away – her job done.
“Welcome, ”
the smile is practised and straight
as is the wearer
bearing, parting and posture –
sexuality too.
Everything is parallel
no right angles.
No ambiguity, even on the first day.

Forms are signed,
then a tour : hierarchal.
Presented to those,
to whom courtesy must be paid.
Others watch from the edge –
footmen, 
mute, as a visitor is lead through the palace.
They’ve seen many come – and go. Another first day.

At coffee time, a jumble of handshakes
and names
and comparison – that’s the point.
The predecessor was well liked,
proficiency can be taught
likeability, if not inate, must be learned – quickly.
The first lesson,
on the first day.

Posted in Before the Rain

Odds

Posted on by tq1695

Decision optimality –
encountered in the classroom – blackboard quarantined,
theoretical : four quadrants :

  1. Best of the best.
  2. Worst of best.
  3. Best of the worst.
  4. Worst of the worst.

Five applicants :

  1. Too experienced – too much of a threat.
  2. Too much scuttlebutt.
  3. Me.
  4. Joint holders – Too much of a pussy. Too much of a wise guy.

Generosity and self-interest.
Give youth a chance?
Or tell the truth? – low tide at the gene pool.
Solution(s).
Either
Advise head Office on Friday Afternoon – might slip past.
Or
Ask for a new ballot – could result in forfeit.

Compromise : the airlock between worlds –
a finite period contract, with option to renew –
renewal directly related to performance.
Done!
Sign here,
I’m in the Civil Service. Agronomist. Pay scale 1