Today’s poem
Farewell TUNNEL little box, VISION my friend over years, With channels from one up
to four, Monochrome images, mostly quite clear, What more could one really ask for? Programmes for kiddies like Muffin The Mule, Bill And Ben and, of course, Jackanory. Good Life and Manor Born for the grown-ups And plays with a thumping good story. Straightforward bulletins giving the news With no indication of bias, Or smooth-tongued reporters with axes to grind Extolling their views just to try us. Announcers so courteous and beautifully dressed And language obscene never used (Controllers at hand were there to ensure That dignity wasn’t abused). But lo, as time passes the changes occur Some good, but with others so blue That on our beloved teninches-wide screen We’re just too embarrassed to view. And now all we Luddites who fear all the time Technology’s sinister power, Are told from here on that we’re all on the verge As digital’s starting to flower. Consistently, though, we’re warned of this change We know there is nowhere
to hide. A new-fangled box called ‘Freeview’ by name Must sit with our own side by side. No good to ignore it, they harshly repeat Go out now and buy this new fixture. For if we neglect what they tell us to do We’ll simply end up with no picture! And though they try hard to placate all our doubts By promising channels abundant, From what we have heard of repeats that they’ll show It sound makes redundant! the whole scheme It’s of course all about money as usual, Commercials dominate all. will Reality shows filled with artless ‘celebs’ They promise will hold us
in thrall. A token of quality might
linger still, Though no guarantee of a surfeit, If someone or other up there at the helm Decides that it just isn’t worth it. So sadly my sweet little box it’s adieu But what a nice time it has been. As I realise now that there’s much more to life Than staring each night at a screen! Robert Ben-nathan,
Denham, Bucks.
...andlimerick When I see what the Scottish have got, I sometimes wish I were a Scot: They can get a degree And prescriptions Scot-free, But south of the Tweed we cannot.
Mike Horgan, Heswall, Wirral.