User:Newyorkbrad/Some thoughts


 * There is, I fear, a common rumor
 * That this group has no sense of humor
 * We test this out each April first
 * Which some think the best day, and others, the worst
 * For Wikipedians of all ranks
 * On this day launch their jokes and pranks
 * On the main page, through RfA's,
 * And in all sorts of other ways


 * But here is something that's not news:
 * Editors differ in their views--
 * The jest that cheers one user's muse
 * May leave another with a bruise
 * And seem just what we ought to lose.
 * We all have different lengths of fuse
 * And so it seems we have to choose
 * An attitude toward this. But whose?


 * The joke that makes User A smile
 * User B finds puerile and vile
 * And then Admin C throws a block
 * Which come to A as quite a shock
 * And then A goes unblock-imploring
 * Result: a conflict and wheel warring
 * From every side a big outpouring--
 * After awhile, it all gets boring


 * Now one might tend to draw the moral
 * From this year's April Fools' Day quarrel
 * That we need written policies
 * In which the readership agrees
 * Which types of jokes are deemed as kosher
 * And to which others we say "no, sir"
 * (Or "madam," as the case may be)
 * You can't do that or I'll say "Ni!"


 * There's way too much red tape on wiki
 * Sometimes that tape is rather sticky
 * You wouldn't be wrong, not by a particle,
 * To say we each should write an article
 * Instead of having to engage
 * In drafting one more policy page
 * Which (we lose sight of this) is very
 * Clearly something ancillary


 * Can't we all straddle this wide fence
 * With just a bit of common sense?
 * For if we can, then we can sideline
 * This earnest, well-meant, wiki guideline
 * It spoils the fun if April Fools
 * Must be enforced with lots of rules
 * Instead, can all (yes, admins too)
 * Resolve to use a bit more Clue?


 * So let me cut here to the chase:
 * Please bear in mind the time and place
 * If you'd like to be judged an ace,
 * Your humor shouldn't be too base
 * Make others laugh, but don't replace
 * The wording of the interface
 * To be most cautious, just in case,
 * Avoid the Mediawiki space


 * It's also best to firmly nix
 * All references to holes and sticks
 * In the site notice where (all heed)
 * A million folks an hour will read.
 * Just bear in mind that it is reckoned
 * New people come here every second
 * So please to use some wise discretion
 * With what they'll see in their first session


 * And then, upon the other hand,
 * If someone breaches the command
 * To keep the joking slightly bland
 * And within the confines we can stand
 * When somebody exceeds what's planned
 * Be merciful at first, please, and
 * Try out a talkpage reprimand
 * Before a user's blocked or banned


 * So next year, on 4/1 (1/4?)
 * I'd like to see a little more
 * Restraint and tact from every side
 * Of the great April Fools divide
 * The day's a time for sport and fun
 * So let's remember, every one,
 * This day should leave us glad, not sad.
 * Yours very truly, Newyorkbrad