BUY ONE GET ONE FREE

It’s a consumer’s market these days, they say

Choice, choice, choice!

And the best bargains on the most

Unwanted things

Mundane… I wanna buy it!

Different… I wanna have it!

And why not?

Buy one, get one free

Evil games…

but “No, we’re not playing with money!”

Buy a shirt, the personality is free

Here’s dark chocolate, comfort for free

Buy plastic, lots of pollution, all free

Buy an opinion, debate free

Let’s buy votes; power and perks – free!

“I’m buying some more friends ‘cause ‘Belonging’ seems free”

Get a tattoo, free second looks

Purchase insurance, health is free, really.

Let’s buy land, headaches free

unless you’re buying lots of it –

then you get status for free.

You can buy ignorance, bliss really does come free.

If you buy intelligence, fake labels are free

(if you’re lucky, the realization that it actually needs

another kind of currency – you May get that free)

“Hey, my soul’s up for sale, conscience free!”

(and if you buy lines like that,

pretend-laughter comes free, see)

Buy a flag, patriotism is free

Let’s buy up all the wars --- world domination and oil is free!

Buy an identity card, (“it will take a little extra, thank you”)

Reservation for free;

Maybe.

Buy Religion, Hate comes free

Let’s buy language, Suppression is free,

Guarantee.

I’m buying stereotypes, ‘cause I really want some free laughs

Buy celebrity status, you get free masks

I wanna buy Freedom, so I can get Control for free

I wanna buy some Spirituality, so I can get Peace for free.

Hmmm, how do I get free Happiness?

Oh, I’ll go on a buying spree!

It’s also stress-relieving therapy…

What are you buying into?

Choice, choice, choice!

Take your pick, it’s all manufactured

mechanically

Assembly-line production, we assure you

(so everyone gets the same quality)

Buy the factory-system, Equality free?

Take your pick, it’s all available

What would you like today?

A new face?

A new image?

What would you like to buy today ---

Love, Family, Respect, Identity, Authority,

Happiness, Wisdom?

Men? Women? Leaders?

They’re on sale too.

Just put the money on the table

(or under it)

And it’s all yours

Plus, trash for free!

What are you buying into?

and when are you

Selling out?

[This was my entry for Poetry at Mount Carmel College's fest. I know it probably is conceptually conventional (given the title), but for want of time I stuck to it. Still, the ideas & opinions are all mine :) ]