I sculpture these words
out of thin nothings
from just reflections
and faint memories
that I chase and hold
and for short moments know
then affix onto rock
and let go
I nurture and form
and place this light logic
up against sensation
this dream up against urge
this will up against desire
this dawn up against sales
this spring up against reruns
this reason up against impulse
and all this to grow new life
to emerge new form
a banner
a call to arms
When so many sleep
hypnotized and driven
worn and conquered
frantically consuming
consuming
more is beautiful
war is peace
love is hate
consuming is creating
“but he has nothing on”
says the child
and we all say
“we know”
and flick the channel
Where do I begin
Consumption is a click away
no need to even shift
it will all be done for you
as will all thinking
and as muscles atrophy
so does thinking
and soon there is only
consumption
entertainment
consumption
entertainment
atrophy
death
Commercials pound
you’re not done yet
for how can you possibly
live without this
and this
and this
and this
I eat therefore I am
I buy therefore I know
I own therefore I grow
Two, perhaps three
TV-less homes in the city
one repossessed
one broken
one by choice not there
In its silence I hear
there is one god among us
one tiny speck of truth
one voice, thin and unsubstantial
whispering over and over
into the whisperless din
that here is the truth
and to put it plainly:
we are no longer equipped to hear
Are only the very old
concerned about
the hereafter?
Are only the very sick
curious or afraid?
Are only the very wise
aware that ending
must follow beginning?
The billboard sums it up
“Be original this summer
watch something creative”
not “do something creative”
but “watch something creative”
and anyone that does not
throw up in despair
at the sight
is dying or is already dead
That feeling of
being onto something
is it at all familiar
to anyone?
That notion
there must be more
to this than this
does anyone ever sense it?
That goal
I mean to find out
is it ever lived now?
When even the news
know that he said it only
to gain in the polls
and the little kid says
“but he has nothing on”
and we all say
“we know”
and flick the channel
