They fired all the docents
In Chicago. This is why:
They’re mostly old white women,
Though they’re well-informed and spry.
They train for months and volunteer;
That’s right - they earn no pay,
But since they’re old white women,
They won’t be allowed to stay.
They mainly are retired
And, of course, a few are men,
But questions of diversity
Have cropped up once again.
So someone thought it would be wise,
Despite the years they’ve spent,
To replace the demographic
That they seem to represent.
In New York, I’m a docent
And an old white woman, too.
If my museum follows suit,
There’s not much I can do.
A docent leads a group around
To highlight what’s on view
With information most
Museum-goers never knew.
If he or she’s a good one,
Your attention will be held
And perhaps to more exhibits
You may therefore be compelled.
Though passionate about the job,
Most docents don’t get paid.
Quite often, they’ve retired
From another stock in trade.
We’re lucky for these volunteers
Who happily enthuse
Sharing facts about displays of which
We’ve not the slightest clues.
Light in part of keepers quarters
Then replaced with standing orders
Make wood replica no borders
Refurbished that year by docents
Seen by many sons and daughters
Near rocks washed by cold sea waters
The boy gets teased for wearing Holy Keds
And never Michael Jordan tennis shoes.
A field trip for a Friday afternoon:
Today, it’s modern art, the locals’ wing.
Head down, he tags along behind his class.
At least he is polite, his teacher thinks.
The parquet floor makes crackling under foot.
A landscape hangs along a barren wall.
“In modern art, emotions bring in shapes...”
Not listening, as usual, she thinks.
“Look, that’s my home!” he shouts aloud and points
“No, that’s the modernist O’Keeffe!” she scolds.
And herds her charge with open arms past guards
And docents under disapproving eyes.
Mission garden grows well seen here.
Native flora makes the scene dear.
Lompoc city business seems near.
Docents show all.
Great trip weather's often most clear.
Gorgeous time's fall.