The Manager's Song

                                                            in a boat
                                                            in the night
                                                            with a bird in the wind
                                                            above my own black waters . . .

They take
my time
away.

	Getting the goods
from the point of manufacture
to the temporary storage depot
and out again to the point of distribution
without damage
		for small cost
			        in a timely fashion --

The agitated mind examining the depots
	arranging for the passaging --
the checking operation, the detail
that cannot be ignored --
no slippage in the examining of detail --

the hideous activity of calculation
	never to be neglected
the anxious fingers beating on the little number pads
the angry conversations
	the anguished accusations
		the rejoinders
			the null espousals
the ecstasies of rigorous calculation.

Pleasure in the errors of the adversary
	the errors of the competitor --
joy in the misadventures of the others --
the relishing of misfeasance
	committed by the others
(at first to one's annoy, but later perceived in a new light
	and turned to advantage).

The sentiment that one is charged with the protection of one's own
and thus a dedication to heroic labors
-- working into the night
	through meals
		without adequate rest or recreation
	     at expense of health
		    good cheer
	         affection of spouse and comrades
to the detriment of others
				and one's own. . . 

                                                          in a boat
                                                          in the night
                                                          with a bird in the wind
                                                          above my own black waters. . .