This page contains some poems that came to life in e-mail letters. The first is the latest letter/poem a friend sent to me, the second is the first one of those he did, the third my response, and the fourth happened while I was writing to another buddy describing some frustrating problems I was having sending a file to someone. That one began for no apparent reason right in mid-letter. The title was added later.

I realize these aren't exactly the greatest works I've ever done, but my friend is quite good. As for mine, if I had the luxury to do so, I'd probably revise to iron out the rough spots. But it was a spur of the moment kind of thing, and it's just for fun. :) Maybe you should try communicating by poetic e-mail.

May 4, 1998 - Newest Post in the saga ;)
by JBA

I am doing very well today.
Everything is going my way.
If things were any better I'd have to say:
Wahoo, wahoo, wahoo.

I just ordered some new CDs.
I got a magazine subscription for free.
Lunch was good - and we had brownies,
Wahoo, wahoo, wahoo.

There's only one more week of class.
Summer approaches very fast.
On my last test I kicked some serious ___,
Wahoo, wahoo, wahoo.

But,

I've got some mail to send today,
and racquetball that I want to play,
so I'm sending this little message to say,
Wahoo, wahoo, to you.

Feb 26, 1998

Poem written in approximately 47 seconds while taking just a wee little break from lab:

by JBA

Doin' a lab,
Bored out of my mind,
Want to go home,
Where I can unwind.

I want a nice weekend,
To just relax and such things
But I have two midterms next week,
so instead I'll be studying!

So, how is it going?
To what up are you?
Are you taking a break,
or are you studying too?

THE END

ps. Feel free to respond in kind, whether limericks, free prose, or quotes from the Cat in the Hat. 27 Feb 1998

(by me: Untitled)

I knew you had it in you,
buried so deep,
that what was needed to bring it out,
Was just too little sleep!

A grand welcome home!
Ah Jase! My good friend,
it is well you have joined us,
here 'round the bend.

It is fine! It is great!
Wouldn't you agree?
Now you join all us poets,
in our scholastic insanity.

Such talent! Such art!
It's hard to believe,
What a student will do,
during the briefest reprieve.

I bow to you sir!
and give a wicked grin.
Did you honestly think,
rationality would win?

This is school, this is life,
and whether you believe it,
you have just proved me right,
concerning the creative spirit.

Everyone has it,
yes, EECS majors too.
And like I've been saying,
my friend so do you.

;)

9 Mar 1998

By: me

The Trials and Tribulations of a Large File, Two Computers, and Me

I sent it in text,
I sent it in word.
I sent it in html,
Now how's that for absurd?

I sent in pieces,
I sent it whole.
But still she said her computer
Kept saying "No!"

"I cannot open this!
I can't and I won't!
So just forget it!
Do this I don't!"

Growing suspicious,
My friend I did query,
What kind do you have,
That says things're too scary?

Her answer did come,
Filled the screen of my PC.
And I learned to my horror,
A demon Mac had she!

And all that I've tried,
And all who I ask,
Have no real answer,
For this blasted task.

So up on my homepage,
I struggle to put it,
Eating up my memory,
Cause her Mac simply wouldn't.

Why I've lapsed into meter,
I haven't a clue.
This is kinda fun,
But I must say Adieu.