The Land of Lip Service

Either
a searing indictment of
contemporary American society
or
just a bit of fun!


They seem to have forgotten common courtesy, 
'Have A Nice Day!' rings so hollow, it's a shame;
they're so mired in mediocrity 
and no one ever, ever takes the blame. 

Overweight, yet under-nourished, 
over-sexed and under-intellectual, 
they preen and pose their way 
to self-importance, perpetually ineffectual. 

They clutch desperately on to their perceptions, 
their DVD's and plasma TV screens; 
they're rushing blindly to the brink of self-destruction, 
never caring for a moment what life means.

So I'll have a cup of tea and read Jane Austen, 
self-righteous, showing smug English reserve, 
and laugh at all their cheesy indiscretions 
while I cheer their unimaginable nerve!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Caulfield Avatar
June 11, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Excellent poem my friend.
Bauer Avatar
June 3, 2012 at 1:56 PM
spot on, as they say on your side of the pond! yes, you've captured all that's wrong with america in this one little poem. i like your solution, though i'm surprised you didn't say "cuppa," or is that just an american word trying to imitate an english one?
Jane Avatar
June 3, 2012 at 9:26 AM
Jane Austen and tea: the perfect combination! Very witty poem Keith, love the tongue-in-cheek 1st stanza. Best wishes always, Annie x
Collins Avatar
June 3, 2012 at 8:06 AM
Hi Keith - I love "How are you?" and while a person answers "fine" there's no one listening for the answer. Great poem. llove, Kathy
Britt Avatar
June 2, 2012 at 9:33 PM
People were so much more content living with the bare minimum. The more people have, the more people believe they deserve and each generation adds to this spiral. This was really good to me. Take care and continue writing, Keith <3
Bickerstaffe Avatar
June 2, 2012 at 9:38 PM
I have yet to make it all the way through S&S!
Britt Avatar
June 2, 2012 at 9:29 PM
Yea I like this. Maybe its a shame but I had to do my research on Austen. I went to her site and clicked on one of her novels titled SENSE & SENSIBILITY. My eyes got big and I noticed at the top it said, "Best read with your favorite cup of tea". I sense it would make me chuckle if I was to read through her novels so I'll just further comment on what I understand. Judging by the way life is portrayed in verbal story's, books, television, museums and all of that, time's have definitely changed.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
June 2, 2012 at 9:36 PM
Thank you, Brittany...
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