2014-03-14
by
Eleanor Goldfield
A wind whips cold
quick quick slow
a choreographed dance
of no happenstance -
calculated cold
shocking and bold
then quiet and slow.
beneath these leafless trees
an insidious disease of
whitewashed apathy.
like sugar for cancer
coated for comfort
drink your demise
lies, killer and smile.
silk too can strangle
how much can you handle
the softest, the strongest
dying in ignorance
bliss cried deliverance
but no gods in this place
save the ones with
a parking space
small town charm
wrapped in hellish harm
what do you do here
what do you work on
toil with bells on -
save for that rainy day
life drains,
pours
but illusions will keep you warm.
which side are you on
left, right or both
take a lobbying oath
don't sell your soul
but trade it for all that glitters...
like gold.
black as it flows
from earth's man made holes
mine, slaves, quick mine.
place what you reap
on our crooked heap
steep with injustice
hurry, this lust thirsts
bring me my next fill
drink, guzzle, oil spill
ripe for the next kill
spin the globe, let's look for the next thrill.
greed tasted better
under 3rd world umbrellas
but paradise got droll.
toxic waste made us home sick
so why not make dinner at home?
crusade through our own towns
party and throw down -
got liberty drunk
took freedom for a spin
sadistic and kinky
lady justice was high priced but sold.
and you didn't mind
coz you don't use 'em anyway
and apathy's one helluva drug.
so throw some more sludge in that smoothie
tote your green bag to the shops and the movies
and give yourself a pat.
mind the knife in your back
and the chip in your arm -
oops, haven't gotten that far
but when we do, we don't mean no harm.
it's for your own good
is that understood -
like so,
the flag waving drones
the spying, the dying, the killing, the mining -
steady this throne
ready or not, here I come.
On high, sitting pretty
give me the keys to your city
for all that you own is mine -
for the taking
quiet your muckraking -
this place was a nothing,
a waste of space n time
till I made it worth mine -
and gave you a wal mart,
a job, thank my good heart
a meal ticket – that's right
eat up and don't fight.
GMOs with a side of devotion
to a system I built just to fail -
and reap all the profits
while you say all hail
long after you've already lost it.
your soul's what I mean
your rights, I'll come clean
those have been gone for some time.
so work, slaves, quick work
punch your time cards,
free if you work hard
I'll make sure to enjoy
the life that you waste
maybe give you a taste
with plastic and cakes.
throw you a bone
a low interest loan
to buy that new home
you never should own -
then happily wait
since you took the bait
you'll sink and
i'll sell you a boat.
high interest though -
i'll let you live
but you're soaked
treading high water
that just goes up farther
you can struggle and writhe
but you'll get a kink in your spine
and that's one pricey fix
but if we finance your dreams
why not a body that bleeds?
drip drip and dry
thanks for the ride
we gambled and lost
all at your cost
now you're sucking down poison
every drink, breath and bite -
made of a putty of minds
the ones that speak truth,
well now that's a crime.
in through the cell door
and out the other side
a criminal kind
that is if we let you out alive.
but now now, don't cry
it's not all so bleak
there's a remedy here for the weak.
take god as your crutch
trust in his words,
salvation won't cost much.
if questions do glimmer
hush, now and simmer,
quiet the curious mind.
Let all these lies
numb from the inside
I think you will find
living is easiest -
when you don't feel alive.
and for those on the outside
the fringe freaks and folk devils
stay quiet and still
drink as the others,
of our refuse and swill.
The path has been made
this world can't be saved
so don't raise your fist or your voice.
preach to your choirs
but dears, don't aspire
to change the world that we own.
Believe that we will
lie, cheat and kill
to protect our investments
in your stolen future
rip at the sutures
and you will bleed.
You have been warned.
Take heed.