A few days ago I wrote a poem on my blog entitled “Black Friday.” This creative animated film by Steve Cutts so perfectly illustrates it that I had to share it with you. Really inventive and indicative of our modern world.
Black Friday
Overwhelmed by shopping, I stay sealed up in my house.
When it comes to competition, I’m as timid as a mouse.
The melody of shopping ads swirl around my head,
but it’s a dubious offering. I’d rather stay in bed.
First stores opened at 9 a.m., then opened up at 6.
Shoppers camped outside all night to have the choicest picks.
When Kohl’s, Macy’s and Best Buy decided to open earlier,
Full of turkey, deprived of sleep, the crowds got even surlier.
Midnight is no time, my friend, to be out and shopping.
After feasting all Thanksgiving day, it’s time for rest and stopping.
Instead, the minute the bird’s picked clean,
they start the “Holiday” machine.
Shoppers trip over display elves
to get to fully-laden shelves.
Christmas trees drop balls and sway,
unequal to this shopping fray.
In a season meant to swell the heart,
good bargains may be ripped apart
by buyers intent on competing—
herds of sheep milling and bleating.
On Thursday, we give thanks for all
we’ve been given, then have the gall
at midnight, to swarm out the door
to hit the mall and buy some more!
You can hear the fuss and roar
the minute you approach each store.
Shoving, elbowing and gripping.
You can hear the garments ripping!
But I remember days of yore
long before the blood and gore,
when Christmas “giving” was more laid back—
a doll for Jill, a train for Jack
purchased from Sear’s catalogue,
or “Monkey Wards.” Perhaps a dog
or kitten in a wiggling box.
Perfume for Mom. For Dad? Some sox.
And it was done. No buying fury.
No fuss or bother, strain or hurry.
“Good will to men” the Christmas reason
before big stores usurped the season!
Steve Cutts has made a wonderful animated film that perfect illustrates this poem. You can see it HERE.
The prompt words today were shop, melody, dubious and overwhelm. Somehow they seemed to want to come together to produce this poem. Here are the links. Tell us what they say to you!
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2018/11/23/rdp-friday-shop/
https://fivedotoh.com/2018/11/23/fowc-with-fandango-melody/
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2018/11/23/dubious/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2018/11/23/your-daily-word-prompt-overwhelm-November-23-2018/
public domain photo
Black Friday
Yesterday you masticated
until appetites were sated.
Then certain relatives orated,
argued, harangued and debated—
their monologues all unrelated.
Trapped, you were all educated
in what they sanctioned, what they hated.
Admit it, weren’t you elated,
when that last politician was rated,
and the last argument abated?
Once all your visitors were gated,
those final good-byes terminated,
and their ills excoriated,
you could prepare for what was fated.
Your choice was unequivocated.
Now that you’d heard and eaten all,
Tomorrow, you’d consume the mall.
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November). Since 1932, it has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the U.S., and most major retailers open very early (and more recently during overnight hours) and offer promotional sales.
The prompt today is “sated.”
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 