Frustrated Execs Turn to Poetry

Interesting article from yesterday's Tribune--in the Business section, of all places--about executives who write poetry. (Read here if you're registered with the Trib, or here if you're not; the latter can only be viewed in Explorer.) The fact that the group Poets & Patrons estimates there are roughly 100 executive/poets in the Chicago area tells me there are quite a few corporate types with exceptionally unfulfilling careers, though the Trib's pro-business bias inevitably points up the business-enchancing qualities of executives who dabble in poetry on the side.

The Northern Trust guy can talk all he wants about how it helps him think non-linearly on the job or reclaim his individuality, but I think most corporate people who write on the side--including myself--do so to escape the mind-numbing routine of office life.

I quite like the first Ted Kooser poem included with the article, "A Death at the Office." I think it illustrates rather nicely the superficiality ("snapshots from home, wherever it was") and transient nature ("We have her ballpoints back") of work-related "friendships." Take away the common bond of the workplace, and often there's nothing us linking us to the people we spend 8+ hours with each day.

As a disclaimer, I should point out that I met Julie at IBM, and when we first starting dating our desks were five feet apart. Excluding this blissful exception, the above has been my experience with virtually all of my office-based friendships.