Our video resource today is this short film version of Maggie Smith’s poem, “Good Bones.” Our prompt for the day is inspired by Smith’s poem. You may have noted that the central metaphor of “Good Bones” turns on a phrase used by real estate agents. Today, I’d like to challenge you to think about the argot of a particular job or profession, and see how you can incorporate it into a metaphor that governs or drives your poem.

This rather astonishing list of professional slang terms might help you get into the mood. Or, if you work a white-collar job, perhaps you can take inspiration from one of the business jargon phrases that seem to predominate in corporate environments (leveraging diverse synergies, anyone?)

I used the corporate jargon – Just in time (JIT) , Optimize the Resources, Bricks-and-Clicks Harnessing Corporate e-services and monetizing the virtual ROI to keep in line with the prompt today. They are all terms used in white collar jobs- thrown around board rooms all the time.

My poem for today is ‘Just-In-Time!’ Let me know how you like it.

The maid’s taken off – a wedding in the family, it seems

And I’m left in doldrums, cleaning the beams

There’s cooking to be done, silverware needs polishing

Floors need scrubbing and the cushions some plumping

Where should I begin? What in the world must I do?

Shouldn’t the others residents be helping too?
‘We need to optimize the resources here? I scream

‘Guys, we seriously need to work as a team!’

Hours later, the candles are lit, the tables are laid

“Yippee! Just- in- time!” gleefully, the little one said

‘Oh my! Dessert’s ready, I’m missing the cinnamon stick!’

I’m in a rush…It’s making me sick

”Bricks-and-clicks outsourcing to the rescue!” says hubby grinning

I look at him quizzically… not really quite following

”Let’s harness the corporate e-services,’ he explains with growing impatience

And I relieved return to the final preparations.

” Time for the party! We’re ready” my older one is beaming

‘We monetized the virtual ROI pretty well!’ in my head I’m thinking

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