THE DRAFTSMAN AND THE ENGINEER

The Draftsmen And the Engineer

are men of skill and vision.

At least they are until they hear

that bitter word.... REVISION 


The engineer with practiced eye

Surveys his grand design:

The draftsmen then expertly draws

each complicated line. 


"Complete," they sign contentedly,

"Miraculous precision!"

Oh optimist!  A fool is he!

Tomorrow brings revision. 


Revision One adds this new piece.

Revision Two improves it.

Revision Three makes it just right

Then number Four removes it. 


"You can't do this, you can't do that."

"We'll wait for a decision." 

"But in the meantime just revise

That last revised revision." 


Revise.  Revise.  The very word

Keeps engineers' hair rising.

For every sin they have incurred,

They know they'll die revising. 


And when St. Peter frowns and says,

"The pearly gate's not open, men!"

They'll know right off the reason why.

It's closed up for revision.

 Elvin Horton 

