Friday, May 15, 2015

The Arena (was in QC Lacrosse Locker)

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Laryssa Wirtiuk: #NaPoWriMo and 30/30 Day Two: “A Nonconformist Goes Corporate”

April 2, 2015 Originally posted on
http://www.laryssawirstiuk.com/napowrimo-and-3030-day-two-a-nonconformist-goes-corporate/
A Nonconformist Goes Corporate

for Carlo

You will be made to “step
up to the plate” by Jennifer,
the company’s HR manager,
who’ll invite you to a meeting
at a cafe down the street.

You will wonder if she’s hitting
on you, breaking HR policy,
but no – she’s just grooming you
or, sorry, asking you to “improve
your grooming habits and mood.”

You will sport properly combed
hair, washed more than once
per week, and you must stop
wearing that paisley silk scarf
around your waist: “too artsy.”

You will need to remove boots
and replace them with Oxfords
in the building’s lobby at the door.
“Our office is climate controlled,
and the weather isn’t on payroll.”

You will need to stop hiding,
since it’s such a small company,
but you will also not query senior
executives about daily memos
you should already understand.

You will leave your MacBook
at home, and the kombucha too,
since “We’re a Microsoft partner
and can’t afford beverage spills
anywhere near our Windows.”

You will cease original thought
like: at least from this cafe seat
you can see the weather outside,
your coffee isn’t Keurig-sized,
and Jen, in biz-casual, is divine.

Note: This poem was written in celebration of #NaPoWriMo and for Tupelo Press’ 30/30 Project. To read more about my month-long fundraising efforts, please read this post.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Hooters

A group of golfing buddies, all in their 40's,
discussed where they should meet for lunch.
Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because
it wasn't far from the course, the waitresses were young, good looking,
showed lots of cleavage and wore short-shorts.

Ten years later, at age 50, the golfing buddies once again discussed where
​they should meet for lunch. Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters,
because the food and service was good, they had many televisions to watch the games on and
the beer selection was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, the gang again discussed where they should meet for lunch.
Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because there was plenty of
parking, they could dine in peace, and it was good value for the money.

Ten years later, at age 70, they discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally,
it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because the restaurant was wheelchair
accessible and had a toilet for the disabled.
Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.
Finally, it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because they
​had never been there before.