Jam Tomorrow

The inland waterways are going through yet another bad period in their history. Despite the best efforts of the wonderful restoration groups and canal society's. Underfunding in the budget for maintenance has just one ultimate end. For ten years the cut has been deliberately underfunded with the oft quoted promise of jam tomorrow. Its a quaint expression that we all have come to realise is just another false promise and other false dawn. In more recent times, the phrase has been used to describe a variety of unfulfilled promises.

"I'm sure I'll take you with pleasure!" the Queen said. "Two pence a week, and jam every other day." Alice couldn't help laughing, as she said, "I don't want you to hire me – and I don't care for jam." "It's very good jam," said the Queen. "Well, I don't want any to-day, at any rate." "You couldn't have it if you did want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day." "It must come sometimes to 'jam to-day'," Alice objected. "No, it can't," said the Queen. "It's jam every other day: to-day isn't any other day, you know." "I don't understand you," said Alice. "It's dreadfully confusing!" Lewis Carroll's - Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.

Jam Tomorrow

How many times have I heard it, words that hide the truth;

of a future to be filled with wonder, but its just another ruse;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there never was an intention, of their promised jam tomorrow.

Cutting fiscal corners and penny pinching, is now their way;

 but exactly why are they saving, the pennies for a rainy day;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there never was any likelihood, of their promised jam tomorrow.

The canals are in the mire, the broken infrastructure shows;

the moorings megalomania, have dealt us all a heavy blow;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there never was a possibility, of their promised jam tomorrow.

Yet another miss placed vanity, that only they knew the way;

its us that will have to pay the price, as they slowly retire away;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there was only a pretence, of their promised jam tomorrow.

A plethora of waterways partnerships, is their chosen path;

 raising masses of donations, it makes you want to laugh;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there never was any chance, of their promised jam tomorrow.

 So now the cut is managed, as a public charitable trust;

with ever dwindling coffers, how soon will CaRT go bust;

putting off the inevitable, the truth will come with sorrow;

there never was any reality, of their promised jam tomorrow.

The Alternative Canal Laureate

Evan Keel.