Crikey

The New Menziad

for John Winston Howard.

There was a PM of a mind
The past should not be left behind
We did but see him passing by
Yet never really knew the guy

He believed that he believed our lore
Yet cleaved, at last, to tooth and claw
He did but see us passing by
as we crossed to the other side

And stupid not to take the range
Of us all, and lead the changes
Wanted in a changing place.
Passed up thus a great-
-ness, for the other line:
Comforted, relaxed, supine.

Going each passed the other by
He never stopped to wonder why.

with apologies to Herrick, or whoever wrote it
(original here)