Tuesday, May 15, 2012

One more circle


They grow like a fungus attaching
themselves with hooked tentacles
into work, productivity, creation,
innovation, value; toxins pouring
into the lifeblood. Dante created
nine circles of hell and perdition:
limbo lust gluttony greed anger
heresy violence fraud treachery
but he forgot one more circle,
the tenth circle, the lowest pit
of all: for those who call
meetings.

This poem is submitted for the One-Word-At-A-Time blog carnival (the word is “more”) hosted by Peter Pollock, and for Open Link Night at dVerse Poets (where the links will be live at 2 p.m. Central time today).

Illustration: Dante’s Inferno by Gustave Dore.

21 comments:

Maureen said...

Makes me smile, all the more because I didn't expect that ending. We all can identify!

Megan Willome said...

I so agree! This is why I pledge never to serve on a board again--that 10th circle of hell.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more and love the ending as well. Nice verse. It definitely brought a big smile. Thanks for joining my blog.

Mari-Anna Frangén Stålnacke said...

"toxins pouring into the lifeblood". YES! Well worded! Thank you. And thanks for the surprise ending. :) BLESSINGS!

Duane Scott said...

Ha! Thanks for the laugh.

Unknown said...

That reminds me... I need to schedule a meeting for Thursday...

jasonS said...

Nicely done, Glynn! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh. That would be the circle around the table of boredom. Kights of the boring table. Sir spew a lot.

Anonymous said...

sitting around the table of wasted time

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Oh, lol, Glynn! This was perfect! I've never spent time so unwisely in my life than when at meetings. :)

Brian Miller said...

hahaha you actually got me to laugh out loud with that one glynn...oy...meetings are a vicious level of hell...smiles.

Dulçe ♥ said...

A circle this is indeed

Jody Lee Collins said...

ohhhhhhhhhh. so well put!

Chrissy said...

As one who had to call meetings, I totally loved this poem! Made me smile and giggle! Thanks for that!

S. Etole said...

So glad I'm "retired."

Patricia said...

Oh, I can relate... =)

Unknown said...

Those darned meetings. One might actually get some work done if it were not for them. Thanks fir the reminder! :)

caryjo said...

As I type this I'm still laughing. And, believe me, one reason I've avoided a number of involvements that I really want is b/c I thoroughly dislike meetings.

a joyful noise said...

That was cool - Not another meeting?

Fatha Frank said...

I've been stuck in that 10th level for several weeks. Can someone please come rescue me?!!

Anonymous said...

Brilliantly executed, ha ha! As an ex corporate myself I can sure identify!