Hooray! The expected parcel arrived today,
Six foot tall and very heavy
My bookcase, flat packed in pieces.
Excitedly I open the box to search
For the self assembly instructions.
These are obviously the sides,
This must be the top and bottom
Where are the instructions?
White plastic packaging to preserve
The parts from damage in transit.
Some small packages of nuts and bolts,
Metal brackets and rails.
Where are the instructions?
Ah! Paper on the bottom very clear,
The instructions written in Mandarin?
Horror of horrors, I telephone the UK number,
Sorry the number you are calling is busy.
I take a screwdriver and begin the task,
The bookcase is coming together,
I try phoning again without success. Still busy.
I continue the task of fitting together
The cabinet, with tools and my instinct,
I fit the parts, the bookcase stands tall
I telephone again, the number still busy,
I tear up the instructions, the task completed,
Using SELF HELP as my guide.
By John Yeo~~ 13th November 2013