Imprest

Research was different now he admonished
the past of my fleeting career
flabby
and long toned lean.
Outcomes were what counted. And could be counted.

Funding these days competitive and mercenary
publication was authentication and verification.
The paper shufflers wanted to see papers
not so much one’s name in lights, as ink.

Publish or perish the mantra of the modern researcher.
Market forces controlled, grants, tenure, promotion and redundancy
keyboards untouched for several years
were tapping out innovation, hounding editors.

One paper in a recent periodical truly elegant
the predicted and observed matched exactly – precisely.
The data absolutely compliant to the command of hypothesis
distraction springs to attention. Suddenly respectful. Wanting to know.

A highly original piece of research
examined the distribution of light in an orchard.
Proximity of windbreak trees reduced light
and
increased shadow.
Two outcomes for one funding. Cost effective.

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