Who Knows?

I've known you all my life
although we've never met
punching your own ticket
mere mortals can't forget.

Always reminding everyone
how you're one step ahead.
You've built your ivory tower
with all those books you've read.

Your perch certainly is lofty
you think you're big, we're small,
but in this life there is no escape
from the vexing know-it-all.

Reviews

[Terpsichore]

Such types spend so much time admiring their reflection, that they rarely take time to reflect. Next time you encounter the species, tell them they're suffering from autolatry, then watch as they make a beeline for the dictionary. :)

Well writ. T

[icelandicblue]

LOL. I LOVE YOUR REVIEW! YOU HAVE GIVEN FABULOUS ADVICE MY FRIEND.

[TL Boehm]

uff da aint that the truth - love the little bit of wry humor in this...the vexing know it all.

[icelandicblue]

We've all been vexed by the cut and paste pixies me thinks. ; )

[AprilRN1210]

oh yes, there is no escape.. and working with a lot of doctors I see this all the time.. It is fun bringing them down to reality sometimes.. being just a lowly nurse, you know... knowledge is power, but not all of it in life can be attained through books.. I have learned quite a bit through life experience.. this is beautifully written from the tone, the attitude, the flawless flow, and the knock-out punch at the end.. well done! I thoroughly enjoyed.. look forward to reading more:)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you once again April for sharing on your thoughts on this one. You can fall from lofty places but often the know it all doesn't let that register even when it happens.

[AprilRN1210]

I agree... and you're more than welcome, it was my pleasure..

[Samuel Dickens]

Reading the line, "punched your own ticket", I thought it meant suicide, but saw later what you meant. Yes, those kind of people are irritating--especially the ones who don't know what the heck they're talking about, ie, my brother-in-law. Nice writing.

[icelandicblue]

I think we all know one or two. Thanks for much for reading and commenting.

[s y e]

I hear this many times from my Dad... I have to admit though, most of the time, all you parents are! You're always right, then my Dad tells me "Of course I'm right, I've been alive longer than you..." HA! Then I tell him his age and he goes huffy with me, hehehe!!

I love the sarcastic tone in this poem, Anne. Perfection!

[icelandicblue]

Ha sometimes when you know it you're compelled to show it! Thanks Noodle always a pleasure to have you grace one of my poems with your comments.

[Lyn Anderson]

Hey, I am with Pryde, but I try to be polite about it.:) Seriously, very lovely sarcastic wit here.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much. My husband says my hobby is being right.

[Lyn Anderson]

And the b***h of it is, you probably are ...

[icelandicblue]

It's a blessing and a curse!

[Pryde Foltz]

Your perch certainly is lofty
you think you're big, we're small,
but in this life there is no escape
from the vexing know-it-all.

LOL … I think at times I may be the vexer but I swear I mean well:)

[icelandicblue]

I've been accused of being one on more than one occasion. Thanks Pryde.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Ha-ha! This is so good! Just cuts straight to the point and skillfully delivered. Very nice write!

[icelandicblue]

I am happy you enjoyed this one. ; )

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I certainly appreciate knowledge and intelligence in this day and age. Sadly, it seems to be a dying thing among so many in our society. Education has been dumbed down so much, and our kids certainly aren't better for it. There's nothing worse than feeling like you have to dumb yourself down in order to have a conversation because others are so threatened by someone else who is intelligent. This knowledge and intelligence has to be tempered with a bit of humility because no one likes a cocky know-it-all. I personally love being surrounded by intelligent people. God knows we need more of them.

Great job!

[icelandicblue]

I am a teacher and I can tell you education has not been dumbed down in the manner that most think. We have a very rigorous curriculum for students, testing and teacher accountability. I work my butt off and I think many would be surprised at the rigor embedded in the curriculum. We're going toward a unified curriculum in this country and I think that's good. I work in Massachusetts and much of this new curriculum is based on the curriculum we've created over the last two decades. I just want you to understand that I love what I do and I care about the quality of education. Schools take a lot of the blame for society's failings and I agree that this is true in poorer areas and in the inner city but I believe you will see changes there in the near future. There are other things at work in our society such as a culture that doesn't value school as much as having fun. Video games have an insidious affect on the amount of time students spend indoors not exercising or taking time for creative play. I see it every day. Students who don't do homework because they had a birthday party to go to or a hockey game. Parents overbook kids when they should take them to the library and get a book. Young people don't read newspapers and they get their news if they read it at all from unsubstantiated sources like on Redit. It is scary but the erosion of intelligent pursuits does not lie solely at the steps of schools. Education can always find ways to improve but we've got a lot to make up for in a 7 hour day. I too love intelligent people who embrace knowledge and apply it to higher order thinking and are aware of others and who reflect on their own behavior and actions. The know it all of which I write likes to be right all of the time dropping fact bombs to impress, control and belittle. I think of it as peacock intellingence. I prefer an open conversation and lively debate. Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your thoughts.I do respect them but I am passionate about education because I'm in those trenches five days a week really trying to make a difference. Now I''ll shut up.

[Frieda P]

Oi, my kids say this to me all the time, although I'm pretty sure they're the know it all's....not too lofty though, just kids. I do know a few myself, well said as always Anne.

[icelandicblue]

My kids say the same thing to me...I tell them it's a burden to always be right LOL. Thanks Frieda