By Gerard Sarnat

 

i. General Theory Of Relativity   

 

Namby Pamby sure understands Street Rules

of her kissing cousins’ game.

 

The PR flack of a Fortune 50

richer-than-Fort Knox firm, she’s

 

tossed from its nepotistic trough for not

squealing Uncle enough

 

about non-encrypted software

or un-shred tell-all docs – then pummeled

 

when they turn up in Sunday’s papers.

That evening she almost escaped

 

with the office Rolodexes.

The board ordains her caged naked with

 

Critter Care bedding made from litter

of no-nothing family disgust.

 

 

 

ii. Summerset 

 

Whitewashed earth, God’s aorta like chalk

cross-clamped during emergency

 

surgery, icebergs the size of Hong Kong

drift through wilting swamp lilies

 

while typhoons large as Brazil

have zilch impact on King Kong companies

 

who cover the rest of us

in Vaseline but are too big for jail

 

since our courts ruled they’re people.

I say, Defilers. You. Are. Not. Helping.

 

 

 

iii. 1% ers

 

My dear Mammon, I contend it’s better to have

disadvantages.

 

Why occupy ourselves

with the anarchy of virtual strangers

 

rather than Mom, Dad, sisters, brothers,

cousins, grandfolk, aunties, uncles?

 

Bottles from nannies, not breast-feeding?

Strollers over body contact?

 

Atomized solipsistic lonely lives —

pets favored over homeless,

 

condo zoom work 24/7, bistros trump sleep.

Retreat, Caesar?

 

 

 

iv.  Behavior Modification

 

Castrating Wall Street not to be greedy’s

like lab scientists training

 

rats not to climb kitchen counters,

Just Say No to chocolate frosting.

 

Don’t you want a seat at their pyramid

scheme, not only get droppings?

 

About the author:

Gerard Sarnat has authored two critically acclaimed poetry collections, 2010’s “HOMELESS CHRONICLES from Abraham to Burning Man” and 2012’s “Disputes.” His poetry has been published or is forthcoming in over 75 journals and anthologies.  Harvard and Stanford educated, Gerry’s been a physician who’s set up and staffed clinics for the disenfranchised, a CEO of health care organizations, and a Stanford professor. For “The Huffington Post” review of his work and more; visit Gerard Sarnat.com

 

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