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My First Job

My place of work they used to call ”Ma Bell” As switchboard operator, “number please” Became my tool of their “advanced intel” With wires and plugs held to connect parties. Three days a week from three to ten, my job Was set; with school next day, I soon burned out. My arms and back were sore, began to throb From stretching here and there and all about To find and reach, connect the lines between The callers and the called through panel holes. Soon tired and aching with this job routine I knew this one would never meet my goals. No doubts about my choice have haunted me… Switchboards dissolved with new technology! © Sandra M. Haight 2014 All Rights Reserved ~3rd Place~ Contest: Jobs Sponsor: Sara Kendrick Judged: 12/11/2014

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Robert Stoner Jr

Date: 12/12/2014 9:03:00 PM

congratulations on your win Sandra

Kayod5 Kayode

Date: 12/12/2014 11:19:00 AM

You crack my rib with this,"I knew this one would never meet my goals",congrats on the win Sandra...huggs

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:35:00 PM

Hi Kayod5, glad you found it amusing! That is where many of my high school girl friends worked. There were many women who made it their lifetime career, believe it not! Thanks for the congrats, Sandra

Emmanuel Brian Oule

Date: 12/12/2014 6:10:00 AM

Oh sorry, always its tough just like that i wish for i was one lucky with a good soon, i'm stll looking for one, Besides Congs on the win.. Bryan

Emmanuel Brian Oule
Date: 12/17/2014 3:38:00 AM

Bryan always is here to read i appreciate your get back Sandra xoxox fellow bard

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:36:00 PM

Thank you for stopping by with your congratulations, Brian. Sandra

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 12/11/2014 9:29:00 PM

I agree with Barbara. Sounds really cool. Congratulations on your win Sandra.

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:38:00 PM

Wow...it does make me sound ancient, doesn't it? Thanks, Brenda,! Hugs, Sandra

Barbara Gorelick

Date: 12/11/2014 9:22:00 PM

How cool to actually know someone who was a Telephone Operator. Now technology rules the world. Congrats, I really enjoyed your poem. BG

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:40:00 PM

Hi Barbara, yes, and that new technology happened very fast, didn't it? Thanks for your nice comment and congrats! Sandra

John Lawless

Date: 12/11/2014 6:33:00 PM

GAWD, that was way back when all the phones were black and had the same ring tone.. Congrats on the win Sandra

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:44:00 PM

Hi John, yes...way back when...another era...I guess..Thanks for the congrats! Sandra

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/11/2014 11:56:00 AM

Interesting first job and those jobs did go away with advancements in technology but some plants continued to have switchboard operators until they closed their doors..Thanks for entering this one in my contest and sharing some of your life with us..Sara

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:46:00 PM

Hi Sara, it was an honor to be in your contest and place on the winner's list. Yes, the switchboards did linger in some smaller plants even after the technology was upgraded. The New York Telephone Company where I worked made changes right away, and a lot of high school girls lost their opportunites to work part time like I did. Thanks so much! Hugs, Sandra

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 12/11/2014 8:49:00 AM

Nicely done sonnet on the theme, congrats on the win

Sandra Haight
Date: 12/12/2014 4:47:00 PM

Thank you, Dr. Ram. Sandra

Funom Makama

Date: 11/25/2014 8:18:00 AM

A Lovely poem. I'm refreshed reading through your lines.Thanks for the share. Definitely a 7

Sandra Haight
Date: 11/26/2014 11:06:00 AM

Hi Funom, thank you so much for stoppy by with your positive comment and support. My grand kids can't believe our telephone system was so archaic not that long ago! We have come a long way to be sure. Happy Thanksgiving! Sandra

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/9/2014 12:03:00 AM

oh, my mom was one of these too!! But I was born in '55, and she had quit her job to go to the navy where she met my dad. I guess she did this maybe before the 50's!! My first job is going to be fun to write about: picking strawberries at age 12 to 14, every summer. it was either that or babysitting!! You have the knack for sonnets and so this came off swell!!

Sandra Haight
Date: 11/9/2014 8:34:00 PM

That's something that your mom was a switchboard operator too! I inserted the photo because I thought some of the younger poets wouldn't know what my poem was about! (Guess I really dated myself!!) Can't wait to read your poem about your first job picking stawberries! Thanks for stopping by with your positive comment. Sandra