Life: not an index

To bring about order from chaos
Is what indexers aim to achieve;
Reminiscent of God’s first creation,
Work mighty indeed to conceive.
I spend my days in the endeavour
To impose whole correctness, no less;
All the text most efficiently signalled –
Yet my desk’s in a terrible mess.

Entries placed where each reader may seek them,
Abstract concepts are all analysed
In elegant style, and with headings
Precisely, concisely devised.
Cross-references all integrated
In a model of intricateness;
Alphabeticisation is flawless –
So how come my house is a mess?

Deft structure of stratified headings
To a nicety graded and ranked;
Hierarchy of neat indentations
Wherein layers of meaning are banked.
If you asked, ‘Is control here quite perfect?’
I could answer with confidence, ‘Yes’;
All is accurate, clear and consistent –
So why is my life such a mess?

Hazel K. Bell