I Don't Like You, New Computer, by Mary Mulvihill, July 2003

You are a wonderful new computer,

But I don't know you yet, Gateway.

I don't know your capabilities,

Only your price.

You are the new Christmas present,

A late Christmas-in-July gift.

We really weren't ready for you until now.

Both of us have perfectly good computers at work.

Old Mac served me for nine years.

Mac holds so much of our lives over those years,

Christmas letters telling of our changing family,

Our failures and successes.

Good Old Mac keeps conference reports,

And all the coursework and Field Study paper for my Master's.

Folders are devoted to ideas about improving school,

Notes and writing for past Writing Projects

And some personal evaluations Mike did away from work.

I never felt comfortable using the money management program.

And there were other programs I never learned to do,

But I was able to accomplish what I needed on old Mac.

Once we were even connected to the outside world,

But there just wasn't enough fancy-named power

To provide a fast connection.

Besides, we both had Internet and e-mail connections at work.

The last two days Mike has been in the loft

Showing me some of your wonderful features.

Hey, I've had a Gateway at school for the past several years!

I am capable of using Word to get down my thoughts.

Today I didn't bother to untangle the cords on Old Mac
When I had moved to him to the desk in Geoff's room.

See, I can word process and print!!
I just need time to get to know you.
I will probably never know all your wonderful features,
But I will learn about you at my own pace.

What will become of Old Mac in Geoffs room?

Maybe we will even come to a decision

About our e-mail address this weekend!

But someday you may just be Old Gateway!!

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