[stylist] Poetry sample

[Jacobson, Shawn D]

Thanks to all of you who looked at my poem.

The point, that Bridgit nailed perfectly, is that the whole computer systems thing has gotten so complex that, unless you've devoted your whole life to it, it might as well be magic.  I think this is a "Clarke's law" thing.

The whole think arose when they upgraded me at work to Windows 7 and I lost my connection to the database I use for work, an ORACLE database as it happens.  It took several tech support people to get me re-connected and there were several times when they closed the service ticket without the problem being solved.  It ended up taking more than two weeks to resolve the problem.

I did start out with a computer science major in college (late '70s) when we still used punch cards.  I switched majors because debugging computer code with a reader took more patience than I had (or have now for that matter).  I think I had the general idea back then; but the game is totally different now.

Anyway, for those who enjoyed the poem, I'm glad.  It is making such connections that makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.

Good luck and good writing.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 4:40 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Poetry sample

Shawn,

Love it, smile. You capture a distinct voice here, and I like the throw back to ancient concepts in conjunction with modern constructs. Great use of metaphor.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson, Shawn D
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 2:33 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Poetry sample


OK

Here's something I cooked up on the spot.

Let me know what you think.

Shawn



Oracle

I sit at my computer seeking the oracle of data yet it is closed to me, I can not see it's revelations.

Priests of Infotech had meddled with the magic of my mechine it had worked, the oracle was near.
But this was old, a magic obsolete
So it much be swept away, for only new magic can be used.
The oracle of data is closed to me, hiding its face behind error messages.

What wizard shall I invoke so see the oracle.
What mystic rites of driver manipulation What mysterious steps I do not understand I follow the prompts invoking the steps.
Yet the oracle of data is still hidden
behind the clouds of error messages.

I seek a priest of data then to help.
I share my screen, I share control.
He speaks of paths and files,
such things are not my write to know.
Only the priests of can invoke this magic.
Yet the oracle of data is still aloof
hiding its face behind error messages.

And then, revelation! I find it.
This oracle has many names.
By blessed accident I find the truth
stumbling upon truth unknowing.
Praise and thanks to the priests of machines.
I revel in enlightenment data is reveled.
The oracle of data no more hides his face.
I can perform my allotted tasks.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40hotmai
l.com


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/shawn.d.jacobson%40hud.gov