it’s depressing
to think about the politics of oppression
to think about the end game of capitalism
to think about the disease we call consumerism
we cling to the frail hope that democracy is real
that the rule of law abides
but this is a world of failed states and states of fear
a world we poison for our amusement
earthrapers are what we are
we are a blight attacking the planet and all we share it with
there is no excuse for our cruelty
only shame
yet beauty persists
nature will overcome our temporary infestation
whether by anti-bodies or annihilation
the day will come when earth will be free of us
reconstituting the atoms that have been our bodies
back into nature
to flourish once more
without the hubris and arrogance that blinds us to the truth
everything is connected
in the full roundness of time
we will come again and see this world differently
as guests, not as rulers
accepting reality as it is
naturally
David Trudel © 2014
Uptown
What were they thinking calling the new mall Uptown?
There’s nothing up about it
The Wal-martians who frequent the anchor
Are certainly not upscale
Looking at them stuff carts with under-priced blood stained merch
Is a downer
Not an upper
Guilty glances betray those bargain hunters with a conscious
The politics of retail are real and failed
And we know it
Implicitly
Every discounted dollar
A lash of the whip in some unseen factory
Every price rollback paid for by exploited staff
Supply chains rattle with recriminations
But the cash registers rattle and roll
Chirping and chiming the victory of commerce
And if this big box delivers a body blow to the moms and pops
We turn our heads
With a bland justification of the family budget
No courage and no convictions
In this cold temple of consumerism
David Trudel © 2013
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Filed under Poetry
Tagged as blank verse, consumerism, exploitation, free verse, poetry, retail, social commentary, social engagement, supply chain ethics, Wal-Mart