The Cost of Living

After they have taken
everything you still have
a stray, unowned patch of sunlight
finding its way in and spending
a little of its time keeping
you company, playing around
your feet.

The things they discarded 
on their way out have already
broken into bloom
and even the empty spaces
have become polished pools
waiting for the moon to bathe
its image in tonight.

But don't get too smug.
Tomorrow they'll be back
with a bill for services
rendered by the sun and moon.
Then, just when you think
that will be the last transaction,
they will issue you a bill 
for each thought you have, 
calculated on gestation time
and its estimated weight.
There will be no escape 
other than to become a ghost 
incapable of thought,
twitching inside one of their 
computers, lost forever 
between one and nought.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kyser Avatar
February 23, 2023 at 8:07 PM
Reminds me of Frank zappa’s dystopian masterpiece, Joe’s Garage. At the end, Joe is locked up, but he’s playing guitar solos in his head that he knows would irritate the executives if they could hear. Watermelons in Easter Hay is surely among the great guitar solos…
Willason Avatar
February 23, 2023 at 8:20 PM
Will need to follow up on your musical references. Thanks Jeff for yr comments. In the meantime have managed to get myself a lead helmet which prevents them detecting the signals...though I keep falling over with the weight. Regards
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace