All-for-One

perhaps we needed this,

no, deserved this

a twenty-first century reality check
return to what’s important,

unaware of our starring role
in a science-fiction apocalyptic 
consumerism daydream
meets Black Friday cyber finale 
dystopian nightmare,

hooked on a diet of prime-cut
next day deliveries, 
buy it now, now, return it free, tomorrow

a sale’s a sale for Christ’s sake
(does anyone remember him?)
what started as a novelty
is now a robotic zombie-style addiction

so play with your shiny new gizmo,
wear your new sweatshop clothes
enjoy your full fridges and fuller stomachs
get pissed
it’s keeping someone in a job right?

then cry your eyes out, as you sit at home
alone in splendid self-isolation,
hoping the batteries will last.

Merry Christmas to us all

*

© Graham Sherwood 12/20