Lines overheard here and there
[“My friend Diana was thinking about scattering her
mother’s ashes at the Loehman’s parking lot.”]
Not Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, not even
Macy’s, charmed mother’s long, eventful reign.
There’s no joy, no hot orgasmic heaven,
When wealth asphyxiates true shoppers’ gain.
Most rich folks just don’t understand—they buy
What they want, imagine that purchased stuff
Is what it’s all about. They live and die
Buried under things, never know the rough
Eclat true shoppers earn, can’t see that things
Are not the object of the game. Sure, pride
Ensues from ownership—but owning flings
Depreciated joy. Mother’s wide-eyed,
Psychic exaltation’s not fired by things,
But by the satisfaction bargains bring—
It’s not so much the things that add life’s spice—
Proud pleasure’s source? The deep discounted price!
(7/7/09)