Vicky is the Specialist (As a ditty to be sung to the tune of “America”)



From where she sits, she sees it all.
The Queen of all the Land.
At work or play, she knows the score.
She sees all come and go.
And if you cross her, watch her step.
She misses not a trick.
For Vicky is the specialist
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
A Betty muttering.
‘Mid thick reports, Betty now floats.
Her mind is wandering.
But with one question from Vicky
“Where is that damn report?”
For Vicky is the specialist
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
John Siolas speaking Greek.
“Now tell me John, is something wrong?
Did Jimmy Dounis cheat?
You better fix his — you know what,
Or John will give you hell.”
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
Marta in pain again.
“I’ll fix the score, I’ll screw ‘‘em up.
I’ll slam the hatchet down.”
But Vicky says, “Marta, just wait.
Where were you yesterday?”
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
“Speedy” Gonzalez smile.
A wicked thought now surfacing.
“Up to her tricks again!”
And Vicky gesturing loud, declares.
“No foolin’ this time, chile!”
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
Susan in Chinese speak.
“Ni Hao, Bao-Duan, it’s due today.
And how are you today?”
And Vicky chuckles loud this time.
“‘Bow-Wow,’ the doggie barks!”
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From  where she sits, she sees it all.
Jean calling from the field:
“I’m back again to give T.A.
They need it bad, Vicky.”
“You need it bad yourself, my friend.
We meet at two today.”
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
Karl Folkes still tinkering.
To find that sheet placed on his desk.
Only a while ago.
“Now what is that under your nose!”
Vicky points out to him.
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
Now Sara sees it too.
You’d better watch your step with her.
No messing with “The Cap.”
She runs the office with a whip.
And that’s the truth for sure.
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

From where she sits, she sees it all.
For she was trained by John.
And what she says is what he says.
Or what he wants to say.
She plans programs and gives support.
She keeps us on the line.
For Vicky is the specialist.
Of Program Specialists.

About this poem

Office environments are interesting places where life as living theater, is always taking place and where, to paraphrase William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, staff workers as actors and actresses come and go, where they have their exits and their entrances, and where, during the span of their office lifetime, they play many roles. As a bilingual educator at the Office of Bilingual Education, I once worked in such an environment, employed as a Program Specialist in a unit comprised of coworkers having such native languages as English, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, and Native American languages. As a unit, our task was to oversee the implementation of court regulations mandating bilingual education instruction to New York City public schools English language learners in their native language and in English as a second language. This task involved a lot of field work, visiting schools throughout New York City and its five boroughs, and returning to headquarters to write reports and submit them to office directors. The office had several secretaries, and in the Program Planning Implementation Unit (PPIU), one secretary, “Miss Vicky,” was assigned as head secretary to process all reports that were submitted. Because of the importance of this role, that secretary was dubbed by the Program Specialists as “Specialist of the Specialists.” Vicky was indeed the “Secretary-of-State” in charge of the state of affairs in the Program Planning Implementation Unit, a role she performed with much charisma, literally and dramatically, with a stuffed feathered rooster perched on her desk as a symbol of her crowing (Vicky’s and the rooster’s). And no one one in the office dared to touch that pompous rooster; or Vicky would peck at you. As one who was asked on many occasions to compose a poem, I in a spirit of merriment and joviality, wrote a poem, “Vicky is the Specialist,” to recognize and “poke fun” at our secretary, “Miss Vicky.” The various names of people mentioned in the poem are not pseudonyms, but the actual names of some of the bilingual educators who staffed the Program Planning and Implementation Unit, including the first name of the director (JA) overseeing the unit. Like movie director Alfred Hitchcock appearing in his movies, I am mentioned in the eighth stanza of the poem. The ten-stanza poem was composed June 13, 1986, at the height of implementation of bilingual education programs in the New York City Public Schools. 

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Written on June 13, 1986

Submitted by karlcfolkes on March 17, 2022

Modified on May 01, 2023

2:38 min read
169

Quick analysis:

Scheme AxxbxxCD AexefgCD AhxxxxCD AixxxjCD AxeixfCD AhjjxxCD axxfxjCD AexbxxCD AxxxxxCD AxxjgxCD
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 2,502
Words 528
Stanzas 10
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s “Dear Mili” Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a fantastic poem! From the very first line, the imagery and enthusiasm are captivating. The use of repetition throughout the poem is incredibly effective, highlighting Vicky's importance in the office and her ability to keep everyone on track. The different scenarios and characters you've introduced are engaging and relatable, and the way you've woven them into the poem is masterful.

    One suggestion for improvement would be to add more descriptive language to further enhance the imagery. Also, perhaps adding some more specific examples of the types of programs Vicky specializes in would give a bit more context and depth to the poem.

    Overall, though, this is a delightful and energizing piece of writing. You've done a great job of creating a character that readers can root for and admire. Bravo!
     
    LikeReply11 months ago

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