The Department Meeting

As we did the month preceding 
This the next department meeting
Time and time without a reason
To be present or to listen

For there’s nothing on the floor
Beneath us different than before 
It was the last time that we met
As everybody knows and yet

Again we sit around the table
Top our seats but still unable
To understand why we should read
Another memo from the Dean

Of students who have never met ‘em
Or her or maybe better, them
For whom the Chair is working under
Standing in the room, we wonder

How’d it ever get to this
Friday morning’s foolishness
Of faculty who should know better
Than to debate what doesn’t matter

That they’ll only misconstrue
The points they’re missing when they do
Interrupt each other speaking
Words better spent in classrooms teaching
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Baker Avatar
February 13, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Excellent words and thoughts on the meaningless meeting and in a worthless attempt to have control over someone. Sara and I both retired from teaching when it finally changed from teaching students to watching administrators out of control. If they really care so much about the students, why did they give up purposeful work in the classroom just for more money? I'll stop there. Sorry you still have to sit through the meeting, Robert. Nice to know you are a teacher. Have a great day! Billl
Schatz Avatar
February 13, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Thank you sir :) I certainly understand the administrator issue. We are in bad straits admin wise right now where I teach. Thank you kindly also for your comment on As Expected. Cheers!
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 9:37 AM
I really relate to this. Joe I despise our faculty meetings. Thank goodness they went from weekly to monthly and brought donuts to sweeten things up
Schatz Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Oh, I didn't know you also teach. Weekly?! Yikes! That must have been horrible!
Schatz Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Thank you David!
Kavanagh  Avatar
January 29, 2024 at 12:36 PM
I believe this one should oxymoronically make the Dean’s list, cheers David
Bell Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 11:49 AM
That person in power languishing in their glass tower wanting to be important, but really knowing they're irrelevant.
Schatz Avatar
January 28, 2024 at 8:08 PM
Exactly!
Rodgers Avatar
January 26, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Robert, your poem captured the tedium and frustration perfectly! The endless repetition, the pointless memos, the lost purpose - it all rang so true. Your lines about "Friday morning's foolishness" made me chuckle, while the call for returning to actual teaching made me think. A spot-on critique, delivered with wit and a touch of weary resignation. Blessings, Daniel!
Schatz Avatar
January 27, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Much thanx for the comment Daniel! I think we see these things the same way...
Greenhough Avatar
January 26, 2024 at 6:34 AM
I liked this funny but true poem. The less important the 'crisis', the more urgent the meeting. I don't go to meetings anymore, but I think I'll file it. Fav
Schatz Avatar
January 30, 2024 at 2:22 AM
Thank you as always Hilda
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