Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This tanka, Peter's Principle, looks good and reminds me of how the officer ranks work in the military. Great captains become okay majors, usable lieutenant colonels, and passable colonels. Few move on to general.

 Comment Written 14-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Dec-2018

I think that's an excellent application of the idea. Thanks, Bill.

Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

I read through your poem on my phone, am attempting a phone review.

Really liked the theme, as I've never heard of Peter's principle before, though it's an aspect I have thought through-- more than in the big scenes of the news world, but at work, where I've seen people fight for positions that are not suited for them, get it, and suffer.

And then the people under and around them suffer to, as they reject the Peter principle, and nobody follows through with the pushing out, either.

I don't want to end up like that. Money over happiness doesn't equate for me though.

And I'd like to believe if I found myself in such a position, I would go inkyo, and not wait like a thorn in the system nobody can or will remove.

I really like the way embrace your inkyo flows off the tongue, too.

Strong blending of theme word definition into the poem, in a natural way.

Side note, I am so behind and out of things I just noticed ... you have a book of poems published. : )
Yay!
I'm planning to buy that today.

 Comment Written 12-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Ever since I read that book in school, and it hadn't been out long then, it's never failed to prove correct. I think I'm with you, Turtle. I wouldn't want to hang around in a job I knew I couldn't do.

Thanks so much for choosing to get my book, I hope you'll be happy with it. You are probably one of the few who has already seen most of the contents, and helped to make sure it is better than it might have been, through your thorough reviews :)

Most grateful, Craig

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Wow, Craig, this seems so very spot on. That seems to me what is happening with Brexit at the moment. The British PM doesn't seem to be quite up to speed. I know it's a long way away from you but your Tanka just touch on the theme. Good luck in the contest. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 11-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 11-Dec-2018

Thanks so much, Ulla. Yes, I'm a long way from all of that, but the impression I get way down here in the antipodes is that it's all been a monumental stuff-up, right from the first vote. Most grateful, Craig

reply by Ulla on 11-Dec-2018

Itotally agree.

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

It does seem that some folks would be much better off to 'jump ship' before they are impeached. I mean, he has enough money to disappear from the general public. OR, does he feel he is too important to take that way out?

Of course, you may have not been talking about mr. president. Thank you for sharing,

~MP~

 Comment Written 11-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 11-Dec-2018

Oh no, the Orange Man never entered my head, Patty ;-)

Thanks for stopping by :)

Craig

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

Thanks for refreshing me on the Peter Principle. That is something that I have heard of all my life, but could not recall for the life of me tonight. I find the principle fascinating because that is exactly what happens in the corporate world. In my experience, people would get promoted and duties would be taken away. They became delegators. Maybe that's because they were incompetent.
I agree with your clever words--"Jump ship" before you do real harm.

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Thanks so much, Debbie. I haven't read the book in many decades, but I never cease to be reminded of its accurate observations. Most grateful, Craig

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

I remember that phrase "peter principle." I wonder if the word, inkyo, came from Japanese? It means "retirement" there which does seem to fit the idea of voluntarily leaving a job. Fun word and good advice overall.

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Hi Helen,

My book tells me it is, in fact, borrowed from Japanese. Most grateful, Craig.

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

That is one of the problems with a seniority based system. A person most definitely could be promoted to their level of incompetence which is why management is so often outside union rules. Then constructive dismissal comes into play, so it's just another way to fire high-priced workers if their benefits and pension plans are becoming too expensive. A good bit of satire at the time and a fine way to work in your word. Inkyo--it almost sounds Asian. I think it's much easier now to get elected into your level of incompetence.

Great job and an enjoyable friend, Craig. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Yes, it's "borrowed" from Japanese, Gloria. One of the big problems here is that CEOs, who earn ridiculous sums of money, are often not fit for the job, so they do jump ship, or are pushed, quite early into their tenure. Usually, they receive a massive, multi-million dollar payout for being kind enough to leave. I wasn't excluding elected officials in my thinking. Most grateful for the delightful comments :) Craig

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Great job with the p alliteration, Craig. I enjoyed reading your tanka contest entry. Your words flow smoothly with a great pivot line. Some of the politicians need to read and practice this word in their lives. Good job and thanks for sharing. Jan

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Thanks so much for the great comments, Jan. Much appreciated, Craig

Comment from tbacha58

Excellent

Well, I have always referred to my writing as my escape from the stresses of life and you have certainly taken that to the next (and even the next!) level with this inspired and inspiring write -- thank you for sharing such a large part of your heart with all of us today!! Wonderful!! :) :) Terry

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

Thanks so much for the delightful comments, Terry. Most grateful, Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

I remember the Peter Principle. I agree that rising through the ranks isn't always a good thing. Incompetence reinforces itself when promoting the 'same ole' and stagnation sets in. New blood offers an alternative, a breath of fresh air, shakes things up for the better, allows people/companies/countries to consider a different mindset, energizes. That's a good thing. Marilyn

 Comment Written 10-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Dec-2018

One of the key points of this idea is that people should stick to what they are reasonably good at, not keep trying new things until they eventually take on something they make a complete balls-up of, because then a great many people suffer. Many thanks, Marilyn :) Craig

reply by BeasPeas on 12-Dec-2018

All my life I've tried different things. It's been exciting. Same ole is boring. We have to go where life takes us.