inflation is dead

this may not be
   publishable, but the Federal

      Reserve is con
   fident that in
      flation is
dead.

because of high tech
   nology & the mir
      acle of modern capital

   ism, supply is just-in-
      time with
demand.

we humans (proles, associates,
   employees, sunk-costs)
      squeeze to work in jam

   med subways or on choked
highways.

we’re locked in skinner
   cubicles where having a
      personality is a
shock.

we worry for a living &
   stress is our
profession.

we drink the ads in the
   paper and on the billboards
      along the road. our families

   ingest tv. & we all need more
      & more & more &
more.

but the fat times are
   gone & lean & mean is
      chewing on our bodies.

   vacations are lapses of personal defense
      & honesty, good will & gold watches
   are ancient
memories.

your job is al
   most history, like all your
      friends. you watched them get

   hurt on the inside &
      stagger away
bleeding.

(it was all so legally correct)

your boss’s boss’s boss is a
   talking head with a greedy
agenda.

fear is the corporate
   addiction & you work harder &
      harder to sweat long hours &
   exude
anxiety.

mysterious forces cause
   expectations to rise & the
      stock to fall
down.

competition is every
   where––working above & be
      side you. across the street.

   playing on the internet & grad
      uating from school. they’re
   hungrier that you are, & maybe
smarter.

you’re surrounded by invisible
   demons & where they touch you
      you
burn.