The only constant is God
According to what most tell me
And if I were entirely honest,
I would have to agree.
Again, we may also agree,
That another is within range,
This being what we often hear-
The only constant is change.
So, God is definitely one
And change surely is another,
There is a third I must mention
And this one is a bother.
Consistently inconsistent
The title of this poem,
Day in and day out you’d know
Inconsistency is a problem.
There’s scarcely an occupation
In which this is not large
And not only from the workers,
But also from those in charge.
It is across the public service
In the church and Parliament
And it has become so pervasive,
It reeks of deliberate intent.
Ad hoc behavior I call it,
Always contrary to the plan
And it does not pertain to animals
But is a specialty of man.
It is nothing to be proud of
For it betrays a person’s trust,
And the frequent disappointments
Can cause a lot of fuss.
Consistently inconsistent
That’s what I am talking ‘bout,
That inconsistency is a constant,
Is to me without doubt.
Garbage collection in Barbados
Workers at their various jobs,
When they stick to an agreement
It comes over as being odd.
Doctors will give you a time
To turn up for an appointment
But so too have been several others
For that same instant.
“What’s your appointment time?”
“My appointment time is nine.”
“How can that be, my friend,
When that is the same as mine?”
It’s difficult to properly plan
Given these inconsistencies
And the frustration that occurs
Is all too frequently.
Consistently inconsistent!
Inconsistency is a constant,
Maybe not like God and change
But almost as frequent.
Stewart Russell © August 8, 2023
