What Does It Mean to Be a Colleague?

Before he died, my colleague Jon Holmes appointed me departmental poet. Though I had written only one amateurish poem at the time, I was somehow worthy of the honor. During a secret hallway inauguration, I was ushered into the new position and entrusted with very serious, albeit fictional, responsibilities. Along with the new title came fanciful prizes and a large, imaginary hat. The only real thing about his nomination was how much it mattered to me.