Overcome By Bureaucratic Speak Poem by Margaret Alice

I LOVE, ADORE – in fact, I’m overcome
by bureaucratic speak, I’m smitten by
what our administration has done:

Compiled a message of unequaled
literary mystery, a message loaded
with such sinister undertones -

So overflowing with conspiracy, so
fascinating that I keep on staring
mesmerized by the poetic daring

Of our administrative personnel:

“Chief Users - Capturing of pens
must in future be captured on
these ICN numbers please:

Black Pen – 999955T4026769
Red pen – 999955T26771
Blue pen – 9999554026783

If you have a problem, please do
not hesitate to phone
someone you know...”

I didn’t know that humble things like
pens had to be captured; will they
run away, should we not comply…