WikiWays: a Wikimedia poem

What is a Wiki and why? Is it more Than the Communal Wok of the Woke Who's it for? The workaday woman and bog-standard bloke? It's my understanding each Wiki's a gift That exists to be given to And to keep giving So those who stand On the shoulders of giants Can with the boldness Of midges share science's Teachings and riches Make what was hidden Accessible, ordered – No Forbidden Forest But an Orchard of Knowledge Make reaching the fruit of the orchard Less awkward And where it's applicable So much more pluckable And all wisdom's windfalls A bit more pick-up-able Hence this invitation To join in the making Share facts and processes Show where the gnosis is So don't let the past mount in twisty ways and become solid At the last count there must be fifty ways To share your knowledge Begin to chip in, Finn, Stick your oar in, Maureen Add your two penn'orth, Kenneth Share what you know Cos it's people like you, Sue, You start by just startin', Martin Watch a YouTube tutorial, Oriel And off you go Fill the gaps in the maps They're not at capacity Scratch the itch To sew a patch in the tapestry It isn't a trespass You don't need a guest pass Knowledge is restless It's seeking release Make it plain, Lorraine Then make it plainer, Elena, Make it clear, Amir And then even clearer, Indira The latest conclusions aren't even conclusive They may be elitist but they're not exclusive So tap those keys, Louise, Put flesh on the bone, Joan Stick up a graph, Garth It doesn't have to be yours Each Wiki can play host To ALL sources, well almost, So long as you signpost To the Primary Source & give three Notable Citations It's not a no-go zone It's your home from home You've a right to roam And a right to speak So share the facts, Max Give 'em something to ponder, Wanda Add weight to the Wiki, Vicky Or give it a tweak Don't let knowledge go AWOL Behind a high Paywall Insist on disclosure Resist the enclosure Of data, participate In its updating, curating, And in co-creating... ...not just Wikipedia All Wikimedia Collate a factsheet, Lakshmi Add nuggets of truth, Ruth For Truth is Beauty, Shruti (Citation needed) Give it away, Faye, It's time to share, Claire, You can contribute, Knut All unimpeded Because you have the how to The IT, the why to It's time to pay heed to What's growing inside you The one unique window That you see the sky through

And do what you need to Answer the call, Paul Knowledge has no owner, Shona Open the gate, Kate Let it go free From the rarest rhizome To the human genome Understanding Was meant for you and me