I was asked to write a poem for a local college honoring its administrative assistants. I thought I'd share it . . . and if you are or have been an admin, this is for you too!

Ode to the Administrative Assistant

The administrative assistant
Is there anything she isn't?
She's a professional multi-tasker
Need a job done? Just ask her!
She's a problem solver, editor
Keeper of meeting minutes
She's the one who can un-jam the copier
No matter what's stuck in it
She'll direct incoming calls
On lines one, three and four
While she sorts through the mail
And runs the daily report
She keeps the office running efficiently
The inventory stocked sufficiently
She maintains the database
With a smile on her face
She organizes and alphabetizes
And of course, she also assists
Some believe she's an office genie
For granting anyone's wish!
Need a post-it? a paperclip? an ink jet cartridge?
Directions to the bathroom or to the Tappen Zee Bridge?
The admin provides what you need and finds what is lost
She's like a tracking device for locating her boss
Much of what she does goes without observation
And devoid of fanfare or standing ovation
But you'll notice it all, both the big and the small,
The first day she is out on vacation!