(with apologies to R. Browning)

It’s grim!
How everyone here just follows him
the oily piper in the streets
filling the barrels to the brim
to keep the engines fuming sweet
and stop the lights from going dim
as he plays the oil producers’ hymn
for profits fat and taxes thin
and holding back
the science that
might slow the earth’s sad tailspin

But yet!
governments LOVE the oil execs
who fill their coffers fat
so pumps and platforms they protect
from shouty types in beanie hats
who want a world that isn’t wrecked
replacing oil with cleaner tech
the dying order they reject
but the piper explains
it’s short term gain
and the kids’ll pick up the final cheque