One Less Plate for Pizza

One Less Plate for Pizza

Three years ago, I went to work for Fields & Associates as part of the management team. Since then, it has been my pleasure to work with a lady by the name of Janice Jones. She is a marvelous person with dancing eyes and an infectious smile. She is one of those people who make you happy just to be around her. Recently she announced that she has accepted a job in Denver Colorado and will be moving. This has caused me to take time to reflect on what she has come to mean in my life. I'm sure that work will never be the same without her and that everything will be a little darker without the radiance of her smile. But on the other hand, I am very happy for her and I know that this will be a great opportunity for her. This poem does require a little explanation as it is full of inside jokes and stories about her. It was written to be read at her going-away luncheon.

Jan has been involved in soccer for as long as I have known her, and many a Monday she would come in limping and bruised from the game on Saturday. The reference to the "Empress" is because she has been known at our company as the AEmpress of Dupes. Dupes refers to the process of finding duplicate payments of invoices for our clients. For the last couple of years, Jan has been involved in fixing up a home that she bought in Burlingame. I was a very common occurrence for her to have to dash out to meet a contractor who was doing work for her. She is an avid science fiction reader and loves to watch Star Trek and other sci-fi programs. The reference to BFD is the Burlingame Fire Department. She has a real thing for firemen. Recently she has taken up skiing. More bumps and bruises. The next verse and the title of the poem have reference to our weekly pizza outing. All four of the management team, or as many as are available, make Friday Pizza Day. This has become a ritual that we all look forward to. She has become like a sister to me and she will be sorely missed.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger

4 July 1995

One Less Plate for Pizza

The soccer field is quiet now,

The sky is dark and gray,

The birds now sing a mournful song,

The streak has gone away.

Her subjects hang their heads and sigh

With not a glance around.

The Empress has left her happy throne

And laid aside her crown.

Building contractors for miles around

Weep with plaintive sobs,

They've lost a friend, a pal, a mark,

And think of all the jobs.

And sci-fi flicks on every net

Have one less viewer now,

She's watching Vail ski reports

While glancing at the DOW.

But no where is there such a stir

As at the BFD.

Their greatest fan has gone to where

The firemen all wear skis.

It won't be easy, but we'll find someone

With style and real chutzpa,

A winning smile, a head for dupes,

And of course a passion for pizza.

But now it's time to dry our eyes

And wish her best of luck.

May she travel all her days with God

And never run amuck.

Her chair is empty, her house she swapped

For one with a Denver view

Wherever she goes, we want her to know

Jan, we'll all miss you.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger

22 June 1995