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.
1960willowtree 