‘Twas the moment of LOTL and all down the Lawn
the students were stirring hot chocolate made strong
The mob, it applauded — it cheered and it roared
As singers concluded a capella song #44
Now, in silence, students started to murmur
They knew what was coming–voices rose to a fervor
What better way could they finish the night
Than with a rave on a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The lights would flash, the glow sticks would fly
There would be some sick pics from a drone flying by
But then the students remembered something and groaned
The rave wouldn’t start until after the poem.
They knew what was coming — there wasn’t a question
Of what the lighthearted poem would be sure to mention
Jokes on each class, current events, maybe encouraging voters
When students just wanted bright lights and Chainsmokers.
Fourth-years begrudgingly listened one last time
While first years strained to hear each clever rhyme
One turned to another, shocked, and started to grin
“I think Dean Groves just said something about Trin!”
Yes, indeed, the Dean would make reference
To all sorts of things students treated with reverence
Yet beneath the event was a truth much less pleasant:
Lighting of the Lawn also occurred August 11th
But look! Atop the Rotunda, secret society symbols ignite
IMPs, Zs, and 7s – who wouldn’t be inspired?
All the work that they do, the letters and donations
Even public declarations that ‘We must defeat racism.’
I supposed none of them have checked Facebook of late
And seen the ads for groups intended solely to hate
It can’t be denied, there remains ‘White Power’ banter
Hopefully next year the 7s hang a bigger banner.
Also, while we stand here on the Lawn
Waiting for the end of the poem, always too long
Have you ever thought about the fact that the University endorses and even sponsors
anonymous groups that have clout over student life and even administrators?
Blah blah blah blah, something something alligators.
And what the hell’s up with how normal this feels?
We had Nazis here like three and a half months ago. Eels.
And don’t get me started on the Bicentennial celebration
As U.Va. paraded fake student protestors with fake banners across the stage to celebrate
the tradition of protest, U.Va. arrested three real student protestors with real banners
actually continuing that tradition. What kind of institution is that? What kind of bullsh–
Give me a second.
Alright, I’m back, with much stronger eggnog
F–k it, whatever, let’s sing the Good Ol’ Song
Bring out the drone, play the generic pop-rock hit
As long as we’re here, the Lawn may as well be lit.
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