I wrote this poem after going through a dystopian fiction binge. Aldous Huxley, Philip K. Dick, and Ray Bradbury were all influences on this piece. It was previously published in a print literary magazine years ago. The version below was slightly edited (it previously noted a 21 inch television, but with today’s technology, that felt dated).
Suburbia
Mild-mannered duplicity where
every meter is measured and weighed for value.
On the fringes of the yellow-hued city
a community of clones lie in wait
within their geometric subdivisions of space.
Carefully walled off behind chain-link and wood
they peek through the cracks, watching
for the misguided mongrel that mistakes
the manicured greenery as something more
(Hunkered down, eyes casting about, ears alert
for the soft pop of the pellet gun, not understanding their mistake).
Carbon-based simplicity with nothing
beyond the norm, variation being frowned
upon and usually scorned. And
as the night wanes they sit in front of their
high-definition televisions watching
the late-local news and occasionally
glancing out the window to make sure the Jones’
aren’t getting too far ahead.
How do you feel about conformity? Do you crave the latest gadgets and technology so you can keep up with the trends? Or do you prefer to follow your own path?
RB
Dug this.
An excellent poem, Richard. Thought provoking.
Great minds think alike! Just today I posted a drawing about technology nostalgia 😄 and your poem made me even more nostalgic!
I am not one for gadgets. I panic with each iPad update 😅
And I doubt I would if I had the money to explore it more. I am just too impatient for it.
Great poem! I found it profound and impactful
Love the poem and have never felt the need to have the latest technology. I want working technology, but some of the newest things lack features I still want.