Posted on behalf of Prof Derrick Moot
22 December 2021
Ode to 2021, a year of limited fun, the world stopped to deal with a crisis
Covid on the rise, no real surprise, a challenge harder to manage than ISIS
Politics alone, cannot postpone, talk or bomb this virus out of existence
It does mutate, changed outer shape, has survived with admirable persistence
There are those, who do oppose, masks, lockdowns and freedom restrictions
Evangelical right, up for a fight, no foreign bodies from vaccine prescriptions
Don’t want a jab, made in some lab, to keep us safe we have pastor Brian
Our leading saint, don’t dare paint, our congregation as duped by his lyin’
For we can explore, expose every flaw, with social media facts from Facebook
It’s our knowledge, not from medical college, where doctors talk gobbledygook
Alternative theories, leave me to query, where are the critical thinkers
Some think facts, are treacherous acts, they’re wearing conspiracy blinkers
Mired in deep, following like sheep, they march to demand their freedom
Why they can’t see, what’s clear to me, an RNA shot for all we need ‘em
Our social divide, increasingly wide, an indictment of global proportions
Lack of trust, the major thrust, for those prone to believe the distortions
Clearly Fox news, has alternate views, caters to those Republican aligned
Also the left, often bereft, of facts it they don’t fit the way they’re inclined
Some sympathy, for those yet to see, the virus is not just a theory
Science reports, media distorts, which creates a public that’s weary
This year our fate, individuals and state, highlighted weak global relations
Supply chains clogged, tanker bogged, stopped goods for wealthy nations
Empty shelves in the UK, no Poles to pay, drive trucks, pick fruit they’re essential
Brexit was clear, unwanted there, so stayed home gave a two fingered deferential
During lockdown, Boris the clown, led his number 10 staff in a Christmas party
Two rulebooks apply, allows him to lie, tell classical jokes to show he’s the smarty
He hosted the COP, a climatic flop, Glasgow was for countries to keep on disputin’
The cause of the heat, needs someone to beat, absent polluters like dear Mr Putin
Fossil fuel the key, for each economy, electric cars a hollow marketing scheme
Rare metals are found, in smalls bits of ground, China’s has them its their dream
Don’t look too far, at the components of that car, it won’t help any climate goal
In NZ we know, our electricity does grow, supplied through more Indonesian coal
Let’s now applaud, Aussies are on board, Morrison sees a nuclear solution
Diplomacy he lacked, to prevent a French attack, a secret submarine revolution
Macron raged, rarely so upstaged, five eyes leaders couldn’t look sorrier
No sympathy in the Pacific, Muroroa not terrific, remember the Rainbow Warrior,
And in Afghanistan, the US had a plan, train the army democracy your right
They fell away, in just over a day, corruption ingrained and too hard to fight
Taliban rule, murderously cruel, for educated women and aids to occupying forces
Airlift the help, did I hear a yelp, loaded dogs in place of their sons and daughters
Let’s go to space, a billionaires race, who has the biggest rocket to ride on
Maybe Bezos, but do they give a toss, minimum wage workers at Amazon
Zuckerburg’s exposed, damage he knows, to teenagers he magnifies fear
At least Gates has sense, to limit offence, puts money for research into nuclear
Back in NZ, still woman led, MIQ stopped families flying home and uniting
Nats were just bad, must now be glad, a new leader – can he stop them infighting?
Local issues to debate, as our assets we wait, to be stolen by three waters policy
Thanks Havelock North, you set us on course, for confiscation you owe an apology
This year were sold, houses paved with gold, for those few who wanted to sell one
The next generation, a rent destination, little chance to catch the escalating home run
Unless Mum and Dad, with their money had, the deposit from retirement saving
They’re the bank, you most need to thank, still working to pay off your craving
Those on the land, together did band, drove tractors to town ‘twas a groundswell
Rural restriction, red tape affliction, rising anger in gumboots not too hard to quell
Because prices are high, protein to supply, a hungry population that’s growing
Regen Ag, continues to nag, fawning media attention for Nadia who’s crowing
Science got lost, the truth often tossed, out for religious, political or cultural reasons
Listener complain, dare sign your name, condemn woke and be accused of treason
Our Royal Society, science based variety, withered and cried when faced with the mob
Says science is outdated, wants it culturally conflated, became populist not fit for its job
So now at the end, of a year that did lend, time for the Olympics to become a footnote
Gatherings banned, weddings not planned, tourism and hospo struggled to stay afloat
Govts of all hue, didn’t know what to do, lockdown or release is Delta really gone
The virus doesn’t care, plays Squid games everywhere, to find a new host – Omicron
Derrick Moot
Interpreting the ode!
This year has just sort of happened – the loss of control over our lives is palpable as Govts. intrude more than most of us want. These intrusions, such as locking out friends and family who are overseas, have been largely accepted as necessary. In NZ we are now confused as to what science is – we have celebrity chefs telling us how to farm (Nadia Lim) and our Royal Society, that should be defending science, attacked Fellows who dared to say that teaching Maori mythology as equivalent to science is a bad idea…which it is…our desire to appease the indigenous population is causing difficult conversations in many aspects of life. I can’t see 2022 being much different……
