Travelling in america during æthe seaonÆ
perpetual strip malls
not to say places donÆt
have real differences
if fashion were software
warm shirt v3.6 localized
grunge would be the current rage
long bus trips are different than short
the unspoken rules
of public conduct
forbidding conversations
- yes real conversations
is tenuously halted
halted with anecdotal stories
that start with travel plans,
and end with life stories
all voluntary, such fleeting,
albeit at times boring
glimpses into strangers souls
come if you wish it
or comes against the will only if wished
dennyÆs everywhere
chains of familiarity
k-mart
7-11
IHOP
national standard interface on shopping
theyÆll keep feeding us shit as long as we buy it
long lines synchronically appearing all across America
indistinguishable malls preparing for the profit season
long lines of children unwillingly
being forced into the semi-employed
semi-alcoholic SantasÆ laps
while parents take notes to rush
and buy the overpriced plastic
whose brand is embedded in childrenÆs heads
forcing purchases that cannot be stopped
cynicism doesnÆt forestall spending
only increases it to a frenzy pace that cannot be afforded
brands embedded all over the country
effective advertising recanted to apathetic yet hard Santas
everywhere -
ritualistically
greed carefully taught by parents
who spend money they donÆt have
on things they donÆt need -
thinking -
as naively as the children,
and even less realistically
that happiness will ensue
media myths of brand popularity
are as ancient self-fulfilling prophesies
these snake-oil pitchers are college educated
believing their own lies
or disbelieving in truth altogether
four out of five actors prefer our lies over our competitors
our lies brighten your teeth
while the pleasant taste of sugar mint makes crack taste fresher
snort pixi stix to make your skin younger looking, smile wider
your friends will notice