And tonight's show is sponsored by...

Five minutes of fame 

and here they come, 

like moths drawn to a flame ; 

"hey pretty lady, handsome guy, 

you wanna play our game? 

We'll put your name in city lights 

for all the sheep to see ; 

how much? Let's say a million 

dead, It's petty cash to me. 

And you only need to look the part, 

put on a real good show, 

pretend our product is the one 

that gives your skin its glow. 

Don't use it, just endorse it, 

'cause it's only let's pretend ; 

so give that look you're famous 

for and make those punters spend!"

And see them pout 

and flounce and preen 

(never mind the girls), 

selling dreams and shooting lines

across the TV screen; 

all dewy eyed (and chisel jawed) 

as the cheque goes in the post, 

because enough can never be enough 

for those who crave lots more than most.

Reviews

[Davidgeo]

Are you anto or relic? Stop sending me s**t.... I'm not going to give you my real name. I know what you did to the last guy.

You are a disgraceful human being. I'm ashamed to count you among the species.

Stop your BS and you'll deal with me less.

[Elise Anton]

Consumerism fuelled by manufactured need and greed. Well-spoken but alas, the sheep can't read these lines. Now if they were scrolling slowly... ever so slowly... across the TV screen - What am I saying? I didn't factor in the attention span.

Well put, but sadly only the 'converted' can appreciate this. The rest (majority) are too busy consuming in short 'bytes'. If you want to capture a larger audience, maybe... but nuh - you'd make more enemies than friends trying to unglue minds that way, sadly.

[anandbose]

The decadence of the world, the crass materialism has been caught captivating in the feathers of poetry. Anand Bose from Kerala.

[Einstein Noodle]

how true how true ..simply never enough ... and pity the sheep ... reminds my of By William J. Lederer's book back in the 60's "A Nation of Sheep" ... pretty sharp social commentary ...
E.
i think it was the 60's :}

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh this is so true...i seldom think even the spokespeople ever use those products. in reality it's just pretty people making bucks.

this is so good.

j.

[Rick Puetter]

A very cute write that put the spotlight on a common human foible and a common, but effective, advertising practice. Yes, we follow like sheep and go wherever we are led.

I ready to buy, aren't you?

Best regards,

Rick

[1VJ]

This has its own unique rhythm like a TV jingle, such annoying rubbish yet we still fall for it, well done.

[W.k.kortas]

To quote that long ago tune from the good Mr. Weller, "The braying sheep on the TV screen/Make this boy shout, make this boy scream." And so the public wants what the public gets. Suitably wry, with what was once known as wit.

[ANTO]

Fame is an all consuming monster that many embrace and only realise its true nature when they have been spent like fuel pellets in a chimnea.
This is written with a wry wit and a sharp pen Barry. Well penned.

[Sami Khalil]

"for all the sheep to see ;
how much? Let's say a million
dead, It's petty cash to me."