I think that I shall never see
an email answered thoroughly.
Replies that answer questions asked
instead of adding to my task.
Concise with information needed
Instead of three-times asked and pleaded
And then forgotten with a Huh?
A smiley face, a shrug, a “Doh!”
I hunger for a sentence rich
with information, scratch my itch!
It isn’t hard, first read, then write
Answer the question, end the plight!
–Quinn McDonald is a writer and creativity coach who wishes for emails that answer what was asked, preferably the first time, although the second time will do.
QuinnCreative 
I think that I shall never know
How Quinn does it all, although
I read her blog each and every day
She still astounds me by the way
She can coach, teach, paint, and write,
Making my world considerably more bright.
Think I’ll end this with a happy face
Even if it might be out of place.
🙂
You are my hero of the day.
Clever and fun verse. Boy, do I agree. New contact at journal (contract of two-years’ standing) just accused me of not replying to a request she made last Christmas Eve. I forwarded to her my reply of Jan. 2–which was a not-long email answering 2 of hers, right after I did an unscheduled, rush edit for her on Dec. 23. She just didn’t read it. Her sour prompting is making me rethink the relationship. No apology or “DOH!” or even thanks from her, of course, to my forwarding of the original note with relevant text highlighted.
It’s so frustrating and I don’t want to switch to texting for business. Not yet.
My mum used to sing that song all the time:-) sorry, had to put that smiley face in there.
I never knew that poem was by MISTER Kilmer! Geez next you’re going to tell me George Eliot was a she or Piglet’s grandfather wasn’t really named Trespassers William.
Don’t forget Evelyn Waugh and George Sand. Piglet started out as Trespassers W. didn’t he?
Piglet lived under the name of Trespassers Will, and since it was the ancestral manse, reasoned that it was his grandfather’s name, and must have been short for Trespassers William.
Also, Evelyn Waugh’s first wife was named…Evelyn!
Those wacky Brits! His name was pronounced EVE-linn, hers Eh-vuh-lin, totally different!
Done and done! Sorry it took all day for me to reply, I hate when people do that to me. Lots of stuff happening here but no excuse not getting back to you. Thanks SO much for the reminder!
You have plenty on our plate!