Following Instructions

Is there anything more infuriating than needing to speak to a human being and getting a list of gabbled and automated instructions, only the first of which can be understood: ‘Press 1 to speak to …’ and then off the recorded voice goes on its happy way to my complete confusion, so …

FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

baffled by questions
one two or three
brought to bay by the recorded
sweetly reasonable voice

I press my way through
the maze of instruction
as the guiding angel says
this number that number
too fast for comprehension

to hear yet another voice
that generates further
confusing directives

I stare at drifting clouds
return to redial
only to whirl again
into endless automation

NEW! To Bethlehem: ‘This little book is delightful, full of … poems on this timeless subject. … the most fun is the little prose vignettes of the common people in the Christ-child story. The slave who looks after the wise men’s camels, or the overworked maid at the inn who has to fetch water for the birth, and many more. A lovely gift for the reader on your Christmas list!’ Rosalind Adams. Available from Amazon and Kindle.

About Joanna M. Weston

Born in England, she is now living in Shawnigan Lake, BC. She is married to Robert, an accountant, and they have three sons, Andrew Jon Mark ... and two cats, Alice and Chaucer. Joanna has an MA from the University of British Columbia. She has published in numerous anthologies and in magazines in Canada, the US, UK, and New Zealand, such as Canadian Women's Studies, Convolvus, Endless Mountains Review, Grain, Green's Magazine, Prairie Fire, Spin, Wascana Review, CBC Gallery, and many more... Clarity House Press has published several of her chapbooks including: Berry and the Birthday Band (2010) One of These Little Ones (1987) – out of print Cuernavaca Diary (1990) – out of print Seasons (1993) – out of print Watch-night (2005) – out of print

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