Poem: Solo, Nonet

SOLO, NONET (or PLUTO'S LAMENT)

From the time it was discoverd in 1930 until 2006, Pluto was considered to be the solar system's ninth planet. In 2006, Pluto was "demoted" from a major to a minor planet in a new category of dwarf planet and trans-Neptunian object. The move caused some controversy and coined a new word "to pluto," meaning "to demote or devaluate someone or something."

                 ". . . But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now,
                 And I can put you back down, too . . ."
                     from "Don't You Want Me" by the Human League

* * *

(*To the tune of "Don't You Want Me"*)

You were far off in the heavens in the Kuiper Belt
When they found you
They picked you out, they built you up, made you one of the nine
Turned you into something new

In 80 years since then you had the earth as your peer
Orbited with a new crowd, too
But don't forget the folks who put you where you were then
Have put you right on back down too

Don't, don't they want you?
They say you're much too small
To really be a major planet

Don't, don't they want you?
They say you're just too small
You're getting booted from the nonet

Its much too late to find
You had your solo with the nine
They say you're a dwarf planet and a trans-Plutonian object

Don't they want you, Pluto?
Don't they want you, ohh?
Don't they want you, Pluto?
Don't they want you, ohh?

Pluto's far off in the heavens in the Kuiper Belt
That much is true
But they changed your status on a technicality
They didn't care a bit about you

The 80 years you had were such good, good times
The world still loves you
Your name inspired the 2 - 0 - 0 - 6 "Word of the Year"
'Cause others have been "plutoed" too

Don't, don't they want you?
They say you're much too small
To go on solo as a planet

Don't, don't they want you?
Your time is up, the gig is done
You're getting booted from the nonet

Its not too late to find
They still might change their minds
And reinstate your status in the solar system

Don't they want you, Pluto?
Don't they want you, ohh?
Don't they want you, Pluto?
Don't they want you, ohh?