LIQUIDATION SALE

everything must go!
the earth can't complain,
cash in the vast reserves
forty years of fuel remain.

the oil industry is crumbling
nevermind about the damn ozone.
property is for sale on the moon
so get your investor on the phone!

the economy is booming,
highways wide and far
more suv's, more trucks to
show the world who you are.

explore it to the limits
in mountain terains or
in suburban plains.
cause maybe more carbon here
in our cool atmosphere
isn't such a bad thing.
when the economy is booming.

the economy is bursting
please, now, look the other way
if you know what's good for you
you know that truth doesn't pay.

could i interest you in something
to fill that void inside of you?
how about a sock in your mouth?
there is nothing we can't do.

so take your plate of ignorance
and don't be so ungrateful.
you're the one who's making war,
on life and leisure, stock and store
don't be hateful,
the economy is booming.

we've evolved past clubbing seals
we don't make fur coats, we make
polar bears eat their babies
in our melting global wake.

but we don't mind, driving off
through hazes of this smoggy city
of choking robots, flaming wallets
extinguished without pity.

who knows why those silly artists
travelled so far up that cold stream
to paint that bland landscape,
someone's melting dream.

[as is, the dream is expanding
and it comes in a variety of
selections, preselected
for your convenience at
the expense of your freedom.]

pay no attention to the
man behind the curtain
ignore the urge to question
don't seem so uncertain.

©Copyright 2004 Sheila Cook.