Institutional Innovation
by Miesen
You buy the charts and maps
your guides provide.
You wear their ceremonial robes
and accessory thoughts.
With diplomas and degrees
you are qualified
to pronounce their learned words.
They bestow a chair
and a private stall
where you repeat the sacred mantras
to the next generation
of scholarly initiates
in the hallowed halls
behind ivied bricks.
You lean back in your chair
and enjoy the ride.
No tremors rock this world.
All alien viruses
are locked outside.
All faculties have been well vaccinated.
Your widely promoted traditions
are widely accepted.
Innovation, you say,
may have its place,
but your faculties insist
it must be scientifically inspected
according to professional standards.
You quote your institutional motto
penned by the innovative founding trustees
representing time-honored changeless values
veneration of your traditions
and both philosophical foundation
and granite cornerstone of your forward looking institution:
"Preserving the Past for Future Generations."