24 THE SONG OF THE FAST FOOD
I’m sad to report
on the level below
was the fast food court.
It was yet another bizarre show
people were seated with the food they bought
and inhale it as fast as they could go.
They chowed but it was all for naught
because the food they ate
brought
no satisfaction as they cleared their plate.
The more they consumed
the more their soul would dissipate.
When they finished, the whole ritual was resumed
and they got up to get more.
Then it could only be assumed
their new plate would only leave them emptier than before.
“They’ll never be satisfied”,
Abbey said as we walked towards the door.
“They’re so caught up in the ride.
They want it cheap and they want it fast
but this shit only leaves them empty inside.
Someday maybe people will get past
wanting a life so disposable and shallow
and seek out the things that last.
Then they wouldn’t feel so hollow.
Down here, it would be too much
for most people to swallow
as they are so out of touch.”
We went through the door
leaving such
a horrible place but even though we had gone down three floors or more
when we stepped outside
we found ourselves right where we were before.
At least the shitstorm had died.
Now there was trash everywhere
as if left by some foul tide.
I was just glad to be out of there.
So we headed for the highway
where the traffic was going nowhere.
25 THE SONG OF THE HIGHWAY
Out on the highway
all the cars were going nowhere
and we could not see what was in their way.
They were jammed from front to rear
you could see cars from near to far.
Their engines and fouled the air.
It was quite bizarre
watching the drivers go insane
and since there was only one person in every car
we walked down the empty carpool lane.
The drivers we past
were so inane.
They swore and blast
their horn again and again
in such a hurry to go nowhere fast.
“They’ve been here since who knows when.
Heading for the same place
They never get to where they are going or even know where they’ve been.
They never catch the dreams they chase
they’re just stuck
in this old Rat Race.”
It would be our luck
that our friend the bear
pulled into the ORV lane and picked us up in his truck.
One of the stuck drivers shouted at us “That’s not fair!”
and then he swore
and stuck a finger high into the air.
At this, the bear jumped out and tore
into the raging driver’s car.
The driver didn’t have time to lock his door
or defend himself with a pry bar.
The bear had his way
and scattered pieces of the driver near and far.
After the bear made that driver pay
he jumped back in the truck
and we sped down the highway.
Passing driver after driver who were all still stuck
and blasting their horns even though it was useless,
I began to see a dark city up ahead through the smoggy muck.
I asked Abbey, “What is this foul metropolis?”
“That is none other than the dread
City of Pis,
the capital of this land of the dead!”
I asked Abbey “Is there some other place we can go?”
But Abbey said
“I’m afraid the answer is no
but the good news is,
I think you would like to know,
that down there we will end this awful biz.”
Then, as we were crossing the river,
he said to the driver, “Pull over. I got to take a whiz!”
26 SONG OF THE RIVER
We stopped on the bridge midway across the river
and Abbey and I climbed out.
Then Abbey opened his trousers so he could deliver
from his spout.
I could hear voices from below
so I decided to have a look about.
The water was on fire and black smoke begun to bellow
up towards us.
Abbey laughed as he tried to douse the flames with his flow.
“If I had met these people in life I would’ve said I wouldn’t make as much of a fuss
as to piss on them if they were on fire!
But this is a nice bonus
even if it makes me a liar!
The City of Pis is home of the worst
and foulest souls ever to expire.
As you can see from how these souls have been cursed.”
I joined him and took a piss
into the river as it burst
into flames. I couldn’t help but laugh at this.
It was a great relief
during a trip so hopeless.
Our respite was brief
as we closed our flies
and turned towards the city of grief.
Factories along the river were blackening the skies
and filling the river with poison.
Behind them I could see the black towers rise
in this land without a sun.
I turned back towards the truck
but there was none.
“Fuck!”
I said.
“Just our luck!
Looks like, we’ll have to walk instead”
So we carried on.
I followed as Abbey led
now that our ride was gone
once again.
We walked upon
the carpool lane while all the cars were where they had always been.
Up ahead, was the dark factory.
It was menacing and I did not want to go in
but I knew that inside was the next chapter of the story.
27 SONG OF THE FACTORY
The factory was horrible place.
There was a deafening din
of machines. Acrid black smoke blew in my face.
It was enough to make my head spin.
Men, covered with black
soot worked at a massive engine.
They were breaking their back
keeping the machine going.
Above them, a massive clock was out of whack
it was always showing
the same time.
The workers slaved on never knowing
that the clock had stopped on a dime.
The kept going at whatever it was they did
all the while covered in grime.
“Get back to work!” one of them yelled and the rest hid
their head.
Forever stuck in mid
shift the workers moved around like lead.
I could not help but think
that they would be better off dead.
Too bad they already were and stuck in this stink
with the clock stuck at half past nine.
They were all on the brink
of collapse slaving over the hot turbine.
If I was them I would’ve surely bolted
but no one ever got out of line
or revolted
even though it was so clearly unfair.
I jolted
on the workers and shouted “Can’t you see the clock is going nowhere?”
He answered, “There’s too much to be done!
I got no time to spare!”
I asked Abbey, “No one has got a gun
pointed to their head
so why don’t they stop and go out and have some fun
instead?”
“Though they seem to have it rough
they were born and bred
to never have enough.
So they keep toiling
making such useless stuff
while their factories are spoiling
the entire Earth.
Working their fingers to the bone in this boiling
hell never once questioning what its all worth.”
28 THE SONG OF THE CORPORATION
Abbey and I left the factory and crossed the street
filled with cars going nowhere.
The drivers sat and fumed in their seat.
I could not believe that they would just sit in there
rather than get out and walk the rest of the way.
All they would do is glare
from their cars where they would always stay.
Abbey led me down
to the subway.
Underneath the horrid town
the scene was pretty grim.
Out of the brown
walls some damned souls stuck out a limb.
Someone was playing the blues.
I think I recognized him.
His case was empty and he had no shoes.
He was singing a song
about being born to lose.
Abbey and I stopped to sing along.
He offered us a beer.
Abbey asked “Been busking here long?”
“Don’t know for sure but you’re the first people I’ve seen here.
No one uses the mass transit
in this place” he said and offered up a cheer.
Abbey asked “How long you reckon we’re going to have to sit
and wait?”
“Just a minute
or two. The trains are never late.
It should be here,
I would speculate,
by the time you finish your beer.”
Sure enough, as soon as we chugged down
our beer, we could hear
the train coming around.
We tipped the blues player all we could afford
and got on the train heading downtown.
We were the only ones onboard.
I asked Abbey where in the City of Pis
we were heading toward.
He answered “The business
district is our destination.”
When the train stopped he said “This
must be our station.”
When we climbed back out to the street
nothing would prepare me for the situation
we would meet.
The streets were ankle deep in swirling papers
and we heard the marching feet
of the men and women filing out of the skyscrapers.
At first some were performing
weird dances and ridiculous capers
while some started forming
lines and soon
the others started conforming.
Then our business platoon
grabbed the person in front of them from behind
and dropped their pants exposing their full moon.
Then each one was so kind,
and you won’t believe this,
to bend over so they could find
and kiss
the ass of the person in front of them.
Then the hapless
men who had no one behind him
to kiss his ass because he was the last in the pack
pulled out a knife long and slim
and stabbed the person in front of him in the back.
Soon all the leading lines would find
themselves under attack
from the people that were behind.
This way those behind climbed over the ones in front
and then the wounded struggled to their feet and lined
back up. With a grunt
they pulled the long
knife out of their own backs and they started over the whole stunt.
As if this wasn’t wrong
enough, after the last rotation,
they burst into this song:
“We are the multinational corporation!
Hum de dum here we come
We owe no allegiance to any nation!
de dom dee dum dum dum
Profit! Profit! At all cost!
De dum dee dum dum dum
Profit! Profit! ‘Til all is lost!
Dum de dom de dum dum dum
Buy our garbage! Breathe our exhaust!
Dum dee dee dee dommy dum dum dum
We have no conscious! We have no heart!
Pee doo de dum dum dum
Don’t expect us to ever start!
Dee dee dom dee doo dum
As long as our profits are off the chart!
doo doo dee doo doo bum
We spread across the world like a disease!
Doo dee doo doo dum
We buy the government and do what we please!
Doo boop pee poo ho hum
If you don’t like what we do here, we’ll do it overseas!
doo dee doo dee pooh cum
We’ll pollute the water and the air!
Doo woo dee doo woo crumb
If it makes money we just don’t care!
Dee whoop dee doo redrum
If we don’t do it here, we’ll do it over there!
woo hoo pooh pee pooh big bum
We’ll do things horrible and obscene!
Boo widdily flump pum
Buy the media to keep our noses clean!
Pee poopy dope ho hum
Money is the only thing that is needs to be green!
Boo boop pee do fo fum
Now here comes our big hero!
Woo hoo pee doo pond scum
He’s as close to God as we’ll ever know!
My oh my oh wee are dumb
All empty your pockets and hail our CEO!”
Then the street cleared and the CEO did come
rolling down the in a big limo.
I happened to recognize that scum
from not too long ago.
As that disgrace
passed me in that limo
I pelted him with some rotten fruit and wiped the smile off his face.
Abbey grabbed my arm and said “We’ve got to go before it’s too late.
I have to show you another place
where we keep the heads of state.”
29 THE SONG OF THE POLITICIAN
Before the capital there was a dignified statue.
A crowd had gathered around
and they were making much ado.
They would shout and stomp on the ground
demanding this and that.
The statue never made a sound.
He just stood where he was at.
The crowd made demands but the statue never moved
as they cursed and spat.
The statue was not behooved.
He just stood still
never disagreed and he never approved.
It seemed like he never will.
Before him was a silver pail
and, in it, Abbey dropped a bill.
At this, the statue came alive to avail
himself and offer his hand.
He said, “I will do as you wish, good sir, without fail!”
I told Abbey I didn’t understand.
“They like to spread the fallacy
‘This is the home of the brave and the land
of the free’, but you see,
nothing ever gets done
without a lot of currency.
But come on now. We’ve only just begun.
We must look inside
to see how this place is run.”
From outside the capitol I could hear the voices that cried
out for mercy.
The moaning was so pitiful I must confide
I did not have to go in and see
to know what was going
on inside was not diplomacy!
Abbey insisted on showing
me what was inside
those hallowed chambers. I followed not knowing
that these chambers do not provide
a forum for debate
but instead therein reside
torture chambers. It was a cruel fate
for these once esteemed statesmen
who were either being tortured or were having to wait
their turn in a tiny hanging pen.
Everywhere politicians were naked and in chains
some being put in thumbscrews. I even saw one in an Iron Maiden.
Oh the excruciating pains
I watched them endure
but it was not ill gotten gains
that led to their severe censure.
I could hear their tormentor’s call
telling them they would be free from their torture
and released from being chained to the wall
if they would only say something of substance.
Anything at all.
Abbey said “They would be freed from their horrible circumstance
if they said something other than their empty stump speeches
but, sadly, we’ve trained them to take only a hollow stance.
When slimy politicians try to take a stand that reaches
everyone, our choices are few.
Too bad a winner take all majority rule government teaches
them to have such a narrow view. “
30 THE SONG OF THE RED LIGHT
After we left the capitol we found the traffic was still in the same spot.
Every road. Everywhere
was just a parking lot.
Some of the drivers would glare
at us as we walked by.
Some would just stare
while others would cry.
We heard some cursing their fate
asking their God. “Why?”
Others were becoming quite irate.
At long last we came to an intersection
at which all the cars seemed to wait.
Indeed, all the traffic, in every direction
was stuck at this traffic light.
Upon closer inspection
we could see that things were not right.
I finally understood why traffic was stopped dead
all day and night.
When I saw I just laughed and shook my head.
Anyway you looked at this traffic signal
it was always red!
We were near the coliseum which Abbey assured me would be our final
stop of this odyssey.
There was a bus unloading barefoot convicts in chains and penal
uniforms. There was a crowd of animals looking to see
the new arrivals. How humiliating it must feel!
Then, amidst all this lunacy,
arrived that lady seal
in her coat made from that vain woman’s skin.
Then I witnessed a scene most surreal
as some activists closed in
on her and dumped a buckets of red dye
on her coat over and over again.
The seal started to cry.
Then the police and the activists started to clash.
The seal took off her coat and walked by
and threw that poor soul in the trash.
Abbey and I went to the gate
and he bought our tickets with cash.
The monkey selling programs said “Hurry, don’t be late!
This show is sure to be a blast!
See the CEO’s fate!
This show is sure to be his last!”
31 SONG OF THE COLISEUM
We took a seat in the great coliseum
The stands were filled with animals.
It was pandemonium.
The stadium echoed with their heckles and calls.
Their stomping shook
the floors and walls.
When they came out, I had to struggle to get a look
at the prisoners all dressed in a jump suit.
Then the ape next to me took
some rotten fruit
tossed it down on the field.
The whole crowd began to pollute
the ground and prisoners tried to shield
themselves from the raining trash.
Some begged for mercy but the crowd would not yield
and the garbage continued to crash
down with a chorus of boos.
Some of the garbage would cause a terrible gash
as the prisoners tried to pick up the refuse.
They were all cut up by broken glass
as none of them had shoes.
“This unruly crowd is pretty crass
to throw so much garbage their way.
What has led those convicts out on the grass
in this field of play?”
“I couldn’t think of a punishment fitter
for these souls who once carelessly threw away
so much litter.
Who could blame the Earth
for being so bitter!”
That wasn’t the end of the show, for what its worth,
it was far from done.
The crowd went into such mirth
when the next act begun.
Onto the field drove that limo
with that son
of a bitch which made my anger grow.
I knew this couldn’t be right.
Just then I saw the whole crowd go
over the walls and crashed upon the car with all the might.
They tore into the car and brought the man it concealed
into the spotlight.
They dragged him across the field
as he shouted “This is obscene!”
All the while his crimes were revealed
on the big screen.
He was bloody. His suit was ragged and torn.
The mob had been so mean
but for him I could not mourn
knowing the things he had done.
I felt nothing but scorn.
And so begun
the trial
and the prosecution brought in evidence by the ton.
His defense consisted only of denial.
Over and over he said “I don’t recall!”
Just like in life he sounded like an imbecile
but this time his back was up against the wall.
He stood defiant and bleeding from his cuts.
I remembered the judge from the vision I had after the fall
in that field. After which, I wound up puking cigarette butts.
Once again the crowd
was going nuts
and becoming so loud
my ears were ringing.
Still, the accused stood proud
as the animals started singing,
“Swirley! Swirley!”
The judge could tell there was no bringing
order and she became quite surly.
“It seems clear to me
that it is not too early
to issue my decree.
The jury of your earthly peers had spoken
and so shall it be.
Your crimes are such that there are no kin
of yours whose trust
you had broken.
So you must
for your crime
of forsaking the Earth and endeavoring to spoil it.
So now it is time
to flush the Toilet!”
32 THE SONG OF THE SWIRLY
Suddenly, the sky opened up
throughout the stadium a great cheer
began to erupt.
“The end is near!” shouted Abbey as he cracked open another beer.
White clouds came tumbling down from the sky
and the animals all began to disappear.
With a wink in his eye
Abbey pointed to the falling debris
and announced “Those aren’t clouds. That’s 2-Ply!”
When it got closer I could see
that hitting that sky scraper
was actually dirty
toilet paper!
Soon all the animals
had turned to vapor
and far off in the distance I could see the porcelain walls
had become
giant waterfalls.
There were some
souls that tried to run and hide.
I have no idea how come
they tried to save themselves when they already died!
The world started to spin
and the first to go
when it started to cave in
was the CEO.
When I asked Abbey where he went
he answered “Somewhere far below!”
We watched more souls get sent
down the drain.
Abbey turned to me and said “Well, I hope you enjoyed the time you spent
amongst this world of misery and pain
but now it’s time for me to go!”
“Wait!” I shouted. “You have explain
where I’m suppose to go!”
As I said this a great
vortex of swirling water had opened below
us both. Abbey said “You can’t just leave things to fate.
Without courage there is no change.
You better get involved and jump in now before it’s too late!”
33 SONG OF THE LEAP OF FAITH
I was left alone to make a leap of faith
off the deep end
amongst the swirling wraith.
I was left to fend
for myself with Abbey gone.
I had no guide to depend
on.
So I leapt into
the massive john
and I fell through
as all around me swirled
the souls who
were condemned to this world.
I was untouched by the world spinning round.
Instead, a truth unfurled
that was most profound.
All was not lost as it would seem
and I was not drowned
like all those caught up in this whirling stream.
I understood how it was so easy to get lost
chasing a dream
and how high the cost
of making it come true.
What crossed
my mind is that it would no longer do
to think only about what it best
for me and you.
We have to decide what is best
for not just ourselves but for all those in need.
We can no longer harvest
before we plant that seed.
34 SONG OF THE FOUND
After a long while I splashed down
in a massive pool.
I plunged deeper and deeper and I was sure I would drown.
I knew I had left that world though because the water was clean and cool
and when I hit bottom I slipped right through the sand.
I felt like a fool
when I found myself upside down on dry land.
I was in the same spot I had left but the pool was gone
and I didn’t understand
what was going on.
I began to scream
because I felt it was a foregone
conclusion that it all was only a dream.
I was back in the desert with nothing all around
but it was not all as it would seem.
Suddenly, I heard my collie, Dusty, bark and I got up and chased that sound
around the bend.
It was there, not twenty feet away, I found
my Subaru waiting for me. The end.