once we were wizards
we each had our own inner sanctum
where we could delve into the mysteries
solitude and contemplation were central
to safely wielding the power of programming
four walls, and a door.
now we are knowledge workers
and the managers look down on
the floor of the software factory
crammed with tiny workstations
checking to make sure things are humming
and then they close the door
and return to their arcane spreadsheets
once there was a small cardboard tray
filled with stale candy bars
and if you were lucky
a way to make your very own
crappy diner coffee
and the company cafeteria
was never an option
"lunch" meant leaving the office
now we have espresso machines
glass doored refrigerators
filled with soda and juice
a weekly delivery of fresh fruit
and chefs creating every day
some taste sensation, just for us
and we never leave
i wonder if we have made a clever trade
and used our powers to get something valuable
or if our enemy has found our weakness
and we sit dazed and well fed and content
as the essence is efficiently extracted