Whoa; I lost a whole week in illness. Felt like I picked up one of those virulent strains and deposited it into my lungs, to see how tough I was. Not tough enough!

So, back to the chronicles of the underside. Here is a tale about a coworker making the transition, following a promotion to a position of higher authority. Kings are not made in a day.

A New Title

You once were a friend
A comrade at work,
You earned a promotion
And now you're a jerk,
Afraid to lost control
Of your acquired dominion,
A perfectionist at heart
You don't want an opinion.

We continue to be equals
No, you're not our God,
Your power of office
Is just a façade,
A couple more initials
Written after your name,
You have to read the rules
If you want to play the game.

Rule number one, is
"Little has changed",
You get a new title
Yes, that was arranged,
You henceforth are known as
An Assistant Head Nurse,
It's up to you to make it
A blessing or a curse.

Rule number two, is
"Remember your roots",
Your fellow staff-nurses
Are not the dust off your boots,
We're equals, remember
On whom you depend,
Treat us like dirt
And that will soon end.

Rule number three, is
"Be a student of history",
To become a great leader
Is no longer a mystery,
Practice fairness and respect
You will earn it in return,
Or be a control freak
And watch it all burn.

Fibril_late; 10/95