addiction to normalcy

e-mail makes junk-mail
   so easy.
junk-mail makes mail
   boxes full.
who writes personal
   letters any more?

each day’s a day of
   obligation.
the commute, the money-dance,
   then tv.

our seasons are scheduled by
   disney and the nfl.
& every lifetime’s booked well
   in advance.

we hate the unexpected this &
   that of living.
we don’t have time
   to scream.

we’re surfing through a fractured
   dream of ambitious
expectations, charging happy dollars
   as we go.

what do we care about riots in
   indonesia or genocide in
africa?

the deaths of afghans or Iraqis
   are not vital statistics in our
dow jones days.

& if the trial of Socrates or the
   crucifixion of Christ were to
happen tomorrow, they wouldn’t
   get coverage on cnn,

even on a slow-news-day.