I
There was a time, when we sought comprehension
These days, power and media aim for control, commercialization
II
Alan Watts, once a native Anglican, became American Episcopalian
Left the ministry to teach Eastern philosophy, holistic education
III
Alan has left planet Earth (1970s), is beyond thought police, "mistake" -
Said, "One ought to get angry with someone like Hitler. But he's as natural as an earthquake."
Shameless Foreplay:
With all the crass commercialization of every facet of human culture with which one is confronted in modern media advertising, it comes as a refreshing surprise to encounter a graphic designer who actually understands the crucial interface between ‘above the line’ and ‘below the line’ marketing, while maintaining an intuitive sense of insight into consumer mentality and demographic metrics. Lydia Fox stands apart from the typical Madison Avenue dream peddler. She knows what strikes a spark and isn’t afraid to hawk it like a b*tch in heat. It is with this thought in mind that we bring to you this unrivaled collection of promotional handbills. We hope you use it in a socially responsible and commercially temperate manner. Cheers!
……..And then things changed
Gizmos and gadgets replaced marbles and jacks
Hopscotch and See-Saw almost lost in the past
Dinner at the table to dinner in our rooms
Holy Days to Holidays -
No time to give thanks.
No time for rest and family and friends
Relationships dying –
Lost to the commercialization of life.
These are some but there are many
Having rights infringed upon
Like noisy people before a game
When the National Anthem is sung
Seated not standing-they laugh-running all about
Perhaps they realize not the cost nor care to find it out
Or a constitutional citizen who speaks of freedom’s liberty
Then cries out loud- as a bleeder- against leadership’s way
For when it’s time to turn out- he having never voted to this day
Or the thief who sneaks about my home dealing my earned things
Once when caught- feels captured remorse -adjusting my college ring
Or the school student that stays in trouble almost every day
He loudly distracts my poor little Johnny who wants to make all A’s
Or the commercialization of consumer products viewed as pretty and fat
But when I get home and open it up – it seems empty and flat
Infringements all- which spit upon my face- pass me a towel please
First-Help me Lord-it’s stuck so deep- to remove my own eye’s beam
frantic shoppers bustling through crowded stores
holidays take on new meaning
department store Santas
delight children’s dreams
great expectations
peace and love permeate the atmosphere
remember the Babe in Bethlehem
born in bitter winds, but bringing warmth to the world
getting caught up in the commercialization
defuses the harmony of celebration
love is the greatest gift to bestow
camaraderie and brotherhood align with God’s plan
*Entry for Brian’s “Your Choice Once More” contest
Jingle jangle, jingle jangle, jingle all the way!
Merchants gleefully fill their tills sellin' stuff for Christmas Day!
I can barely hear the joyful Yuletide carols that I hold so dear,
For the ka-ching, ka-ching of lucre that keeps ringin' in my ear!
My spouse scurries about spendin' like it is goin' out of style!
I wonder how I'm to pay for all this stuff, grouchin' all the while!
Like dear old Scrooge, I ain't in the mood for celebration.
Even Santa is grumpy and frowns on all this commercialization!
Jingle jangle, jingle jangle, jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to wave goodbye to Santa and his sleigh,
And the lights and tinsel and gee gaws and other such lures,
That help feed the greed of those bodacious entrepreneurs!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 3 in Carolyn Devonshire's "Commercialization Holiday Humor" Contest
November 2010
First
There is the need of hope
A desperation
There is the belief of hope
A manifestation
Then
There is the understanding of hope
A divination
Then there is the writing of hope
A salvation
Then there is the preaching of hope
A manipulation
Then there is the deriving of hope
A blasphemy
Then there is the raping of hope
A sinning-nation
Then there is the spreading of hope
A commercialization
Then there is the remembrance of hope
A realization
Then there is the questioning of hope
An inquiry
Then there is the discarding of hope
A mistake
Then comes the hopelessness of understanding
An irony
Then lies the realization of understanding
A comedy
Then comes the reintroduction of hope
A mischievous cycle
Then comes the substitution
An analysis
Here is the variable
An assessment
Hope is to religion, as oppression is to slavery
A simile
© Samir Georges
2007
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