Confined
between the Sierra
and the ocean;
smog fills my head.
Armies of leased BMWs jam traffic,
driven by windshield warriors;
phones growing out of their ears.
Living out of Starbucks;
venti carmel machiatos
with skim milk, two pumps,
hold the carmel,
in a carryout cup labeled “HOT.”
Action-hero politicians charm
the lowest common denominator,
from quaking platforms.
Money throws its voice around;
people just move their mouths
and dangle from greedy strings.
Gotta wear the right label
drive the right car
and drink the right beer
before they will line their
bird cages with you.
Manicured lawns and nails,
and silicone peaks.
Plaster smiles,
cement stars,
aspiring gangsters,
entitlement mentality,
open mouths and closed eyes.
Crystal cathedrals, golden gates,
living idols, dying faith.
Shallow dreams and deep debts
keep Hummers humming
down highways
ablaze with rage.
The Valley Girls grew up,
the Galleria is washed up,
fresh fashions forever show up,
and not even the Joneses can keep up!
Still,
they build, and people pour
into shopping malls
and health clubs-
neon grocery stores.
Seas of illegal blondes,
in designer thongs,
nourish eating disorders.
The ocean rises more every day,
and the mountains are sneaky
hiding behind the smog.
They call me "PARANOID,"
but I'm just paying attention.
(I feel them closing in.)
I have a dream
of cutting every tag
from every exclusive fashion
mix some generics
and irregulars in,
then watch the Beamer-ites
take what they get
for a change
and learn to like it.
Author notes
I read and commented on Ghosts on the Mountain Back by tomsib.
A contest entry
- for the poets who think they can write imagery (pw allowed) by abuyi.
1200 points, ended January 24, 2008, 29 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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i loved how you sketched your sarcasm on this world and its so true, everythin fake has more value
i loved these para i found them the most provoking
Money throws its voice around;
people just move their mouths
and dangle from greedy strings.
Crystal cathedrals, golden gates,
living idols, dying faith.
well fix the typo "labelled"
thanks for entering my contest and best of luck
regards
abuyi -
This reads extremely well aloud.
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I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS.
& it seemed like it was totally perfect for the contest.
You really addressed the prompt well as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure you'll do well.
But for God's sake... change that freaking font!
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Sorry about that. It didn't seem so bad at 4 am
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This seems like a good poem, from what I could make of it by highlighting the words, but I can't focus on it too long because it really hurts my eyes.
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