Call Me Names. Poem by Mike Berriman

We call it honorifics, our titles our name
Informality is rampant, customs not the same
Once we were Missus and Mister and sir
Now you are you and them, and just her.

Learned scholars had handles like Professor and like
Now we are cool and use first names like Mike
Once with our titles, Mrs confirmed her position
Now it's all Ms and a partner supposition.

Visiting the Doctor, the greeting just Doc
The headmaster is Sir although this could be mock
Although kindergarten's still chant Mrs and Miss
This but an indication of small infant bliss.

Waiters now ask, and take us by suprise
Ready to order, and refer to us guys
What happened to courtesy and good old respect
It's gone South with honesty and now dead I expect.

With robots printing letters, reminders and more
It's hard to keep tabs and know what the score
The best I can offer, is wear a large tag
With your title in red like a big commie flag.

June 2017