Villanelle for the News of the World
Time will say nothing but I told you so,
News International knows the price to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
If we should weep when Murdoch flaunts his dough,
If we should care what other papers say,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I hate you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.
The winds must come from Wapping when they blow,
The Press Commission doesn’t know which way;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
Perhaps the readers really want it so,
The tabloids seriously intend to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
Suppose the hacks all get up and go,
And all the Brooks and Coulsons run away?
Will time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.
(with apologies to W.H. Auden)
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In the Dark 
July 8, 2011 at 3:25 pm
“Time will say nothing but I told you so”
Not only time.
July 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I’ve refrained from blogging about this disgraceful episode as thinking about it just made me angry.
However, far from finishing with the demise of the New of the World, it now seems to have spread to the Daily Star…
July 11, 2011 at 9:49 am
At present it seems that the footsoldiers have been sacrificed in an attempt to save the generals. I hope it is unsuccessful.
A friend of mine, of a satirical bent, said that the NoW’s final crossword was rather fun. Since he is in Australia I infer that it is or was online. Peter, do you know anytihng of this?
July 11, 2011 at 2:44 pm
I don’t read the News of the World, there is this article:
July 17, 2011 at 12:46 am
Thanks, enjoyed it.