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
