Press One For-----------

How I long for the days of yore when telephone communication,
Was with a living, breathing mortal in meaningful conversation!
Nowadays, when conducting business, much too often I hear,
A mechanical voice spewing perplexing babble in my weary ear!

First, I listen to a litany of their days and hours of operation!
A spiel about their products and a history of the organization!
"Your call will be taken in the order in which it was received!"
Already, I've waited twenty minutes - I feel I've been deceived!

I hear that hollow voice again but much to my chagrin,
The dreaded 'Press This Number' game is about to begin!
Having been offered many options, at that vacuous voice I shout!
I become so irate I hardly remember what I was calling about!

"Press One if you are a new customer -Two if you have an account;
Press Three if you need repair service - Four for a bank discount;
Press Five to pay your bill - Press Six to change your address!"
Lord, I'm losing patience! Help me out of this miserable mess!

On and on it goes ad infinitum like some Gregorian chant!
I'd like to talk to a representative but it seems that I can't!
Ah! At last! A person is on the line but I'll need a translator.
Alas, it's some guy talking funny on the other side of the equator!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Tied for No. 7 in  Natalie Fllikkema's "Talkin' Technology" Contest - July 2011
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Horne Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Many congrats on all your wins, Bob : )
Brown Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 9:06 AM
Congratulations Bob on your well deserved win in Natalie's "Talkin' Tech" contest. Love, Carol
Williams Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 3:37 AM
hey Bob, well done, congrats on a great win, David
Sweetheart Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Congrats Bob on your fantastico win in this technology contest luv with a wonderful energetic write and that title is so unique.. and so true.. enjoy top billing once again my friend..how is weather there? hot? it is 109 down seashore and now torrential rains falling ..oh ...puppy scared..haha..
Mehta Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 5:48 PM
My congratulations on this win in the contest of natalie,Bob
The Rogue Rhymer Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Bob-Congrats. on your win in my contest :) I really loved it!!! "The dreaded 'Press This Number' game is about to begin!" is hilarious!!!
Sharp Avatar
July 23, 2011 at 3:16 PM
I love this!!!!!!!!!! It is so true! Whatever happened to the human connection? This is a great poem!- Angie
Ramage Avatar
July 17, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Oh, how true. Great poem... sure to win. Lee
Dailey Avatar
July 16, 2011 at 8:57 AM
I wrote one under this premise. I will post it for your review. Mike
Dietrich Avatar
July 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Yes, I HATE this CRAP. One of my biggest pet peeves, robert. You told it well!! I grew up in Iowa and it seems storms can start that way in many places!
Dailey Avatar
July 16, 2011 at 4:55 AM
Been there, done that. Good poem about it all. Mike
Williams Avatar
July 16, 2011 at 12:28 AM
hey Bob, many thanks for your comments on my win, it means a lot to me as i just love reading your work, great poems. good luck with this one in the contest. David
Wesley Avatar
July 15, 2011 at 5:02 PM
How many times we go throught this litany of frustration. You rhymed it really well - :)
Johnson Avatar
July 14, 2011 at 8:48 PM
sounds about right below the equator, press 1 for this 2 to do later, aint nice sweet potator... good one Robert L old mate, keep on driving em through the gate, Don
Ball Avatar
July 13, 2011 at 4:54 PM
I do love this. My feelings exactly. Great job here. God Bless, JB
Peranteau Avatar
July 12, 2011 at 5:23 PM
*smiles* Ya made me choke on this chicken bone ! great write dear poet ! Have a wonderful week....much love, james
Warden Avatar
July 12, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I love it..Making me laugh..A winner for me..Good luck in the contest.hugs
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