When I began to write this rhyme ;
In the aftermath of rioting and unrest
Propagated by the S .D .S .
'Twas then they tried a different tack
To put our country upon the rack ;
Calling a recess to campus demonstrations .
To infiltrate industry with their protestations.
To confuse our leaders with contradictions,
And gain public support for their convictions.
Taking advantage of their untimely infiltration
To spread propaganda and false information.
So with this background we begin our story
Of one such member who basked in glory ;
Who will in all probability go down in history -
But how, in reality shall forever remain a mystery.
His name is J. Barnaby Beard
Who, like the times is somewhat weird;
Became the victim of this disgrace,
Actually accused of bettering the human race !
He comes from a family quite respected,
And not even his peers really suspected
His potential lying dormant and hidden;
For in his society this is strictly forbidden.
For the good of the cause he surrendered with great pain
His beard of which he'd grown quite vain.
His body he bathed, his clothes he changed,
His appearance so clean, you'd suspect him deranged.
But to these depths of sacrifice he gladly fell,
To appear at Intercontinental Motors, the office of personnel
To apply for a summer job, seemingly a trivialism,
And do his thing to combat Imperialism.
" 'Tis a 'fine young man making his debut"
Was the decision made during his application review.
"Assign him to our most productive assembly line -
We'll see if' he can pass the test or time! "
So J. Barnaby began to earn his pay,
By impregnating new Intercontinentals with an ashtray.
And into each glove box, under this diversion
He'd slip a message of hate and subversion.
He'd speak with excitement 'til lips would tremble
Whenever his co-workers would chance to assemble
For coffee or lunch or breaks not repeatable,
About capitalist, racist, and establishments defeatable.
The automotive workers ceased to dabble in rumor,
For they now listened to Beard babble what seemed to be humor.
And so in an effort to be benevolent
Large gatherings became more and more prevalent.
Who is this young man?" management cried in distress
For how were they to know he was from S.D.S.
"Have you seen how the men around him gather?"
"They no longer listen to foremen, to him they'd rather !"
" 'Tis true as sure as there's a St. Peter
The man must be a natural born leader. "
"My boy , they called , "We've got a notion
Your outstanding ability deserves a promotion ! "
"Oh, no!" cried Beard, "That isn't true !
To make me a leader will never do ! "
"Fine Lad!" exclaimed management, "And even humble ! "
"Curses! Damned Capitalists !" Beard did mumble .
"What's that my boy? You'll do just fine .
Consider yourself boss of' the assembly line. "
He could no longer continue his literature distribution .
But was availed to more groups of workers in retribution.
These gatherings also were soon to draw attention.
Management, asked, "Why are we keeping this man in detention ?"
"Yes, indeed! Fine man, that Beard !"
Well liked by friend, by enemy feared !"
And thus in spite of protests independent
objectionably became Shop Superintendent.
Though strange it may sound, and strange it may be
J. Barnaby Beard became know as "Ole J .B."
The rest Of the story is past history,'
Though chronologically 'twas quite transistory.
One promotion followed another without pause ,
Less time became available for his S.D.S. cause.
The summer came, and the summer went ;
Ole J.B. had become president.
The plant was picketed by S.D.S. and later
Intercontinental Motors became target of Ralph Nader.
The journals all print of his great success;
But what do they know of his helplessness
As he sits behind that massive desk in his own torrid wake?
Or of his muted pleas, "No! No! This is all a mistake! "
