Control, Alt, Delete

The prompt: Make lemonade out of a lemon. Write a story or poem about being late for something important because your computer refused to cooperate.

Control, Alt, Delete

Control, Alt, Delete! Control, Alt, DELETE!
My frigin’ computer just won’t mind – sakes to Pete!

This newsletter’s due at a quarter to four.
The hard copy’s here, but "doc’s" missing its score!

“Reboot!” I shout at my ‘puter with ire.
Percussive maintenance my fists did desire.

Unplug—power down. Replug—power up!
“Please be there! Please be there!” I prayed (a whipped pup).

“System failure,” it flashed, “insert CD boot disc,”
I saw in white letters on blackened DOS mist.

“Come on!” I shouted and threw up my hands.
“This newsletter’s due shortly out on the stands!”

I sighed once again, and gathered my papers.
A well edited version I quickly must caper.

I ran to my laptop, an HP with Vista
And hoped that my brainpower still really existed.

Words typed per minute leapt to 90, or more!
My articles’ “fluff” cut to minus the score.

In fifty-three minutes, I finished the feat
That oft took a day and a week to complete.

I printed it out in my usual style
And handed off to my boss with a smile.

“It’s late!” he exclaimed with an eyebrow well raised.
“Some columns are missing… the headlines blasé.”

He read and he frowned. My shoulders turned slump-wards.
Then all of a sudden his lips darted... upwards!

“Fix the titles and then,” he said rather gaily,
“It’s brilliant; I want you to do this thing …

...DAILY!”

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Line count: 28