Simulation

 

 

We've had simulations

With lessons to learn

But never for the real thing

Have we ever yearned.

 

Except for a few

The experience they craved

And when disappointed,

They actually raved.

 

What a waste of time

To painstakingly prepare

And after all the preparation

A false alarm is declared!

 

The experts got it wrong

For yet another time

And with those pent-up emotions

We then had to unwind.

 

 

Like shouting for wolf

When no wolf is around

And making the entire population

Look like a clown.

 

Like October it’s over”

For the Atlantic storms

And these simulation exercises

Still being the norm.

 

Like today for example,

Preparing for Tammy

But who’s taking Tammy seriously?

Scarcely anybody.

 

She will be like the rest;

A promise and that is all

And in the final analysis would be,

Another wrong call.

 

Another simulation

And another waste of time,

Another building of expectation

And having to unwind.

 

 

But for me, I’d rather

Another simulation

Than experience a hurricane

With resulting destruction.

 

Of course, unlike the one

That was a recent fiasco

In which there was much fallout-

That’s a definite a no-no.

 

Let’s stop the deflecting

And face the real issue,

It is not about the simulations

But what we should do.

 

It is preparation, of course,

With goodwill intent

And not unintendedly creating

The actual event.

 

For when a simulation

Becomes the event in itself,

It’s not good for one’s emotions

Or one’s physical health.

 

 

The protocols are key

And thorough preparation

Any and every time

We do a simulation.

 

And if something goes wrong

Take responsibility

For I dare say these days

This is a rare commodity.

 

We used to pass the buck

Now there’s no buck to pass,

If this is the intent of reform

We’ll have no class.

 

Form is temporary

But class is permanent-

Let’s have simulation exercises

That are not the event.

 

Stewart Russell © October 20, 2023