Life on Credit

This is my scathing satirical point of view on the current practice of using credit and how it has corrupted society, and until we do away with it, it will only get worse.

“Can I help you?”

Yes you can.

I have no clue how though truly,

for I am blinded by this sale.

Two for one, oh how fantastic!

I’ll take one of these and one of those…

You take credit right?

“Yes, yes we do.”

Well then let me wave my magic plastic wand some more.

 

I would like to buy the lakes and rivers.

“They’re half off due to their condition.”

Marvelous, I’ll take them all.

Also, I would like some of your finest rainforest.

“You’re lucky, we’re almost out of rainforests.”

Well gimme what you got.

And…how about some farmland too?

“How many hectares would you like?”

“There’s a fire sale because of the decline in bees to pollinate.”

Pfff, who needs bees?  I want to raise cows, pigs, and chickens to eat.

“Well in that case, I should tell you for every 100 head you buy, we’ll throw in a free car.”

Oh, and before I forget.  I would like to get one of those blue, um….atmospheres.

“Let me check, I think we may have one left in the clearance bin.”

“The last one you’ll find.  I believe they’re discontinued due to impurities.”

How much will all of this cost?

Oh don’t worry about it, just charge it.  I’ll figure out a way to pay for it later.

“Thank you, would you like to be a member of our rewards program?”

“For every dollar spent we, donate a percentage to needy children, and…”

“You collect points which you can use to buy jewellery!”

You know what? 

You really are quite helpful!

              Sign me up!!

Author's Note

I know that this plays out more like straight dialogue than it does poetry, but it is a satirical prose poem nonetheless, and it speaks about a pertinent issue that is masked by the illusion of success and luxury, but is nothing more than corruption.

Reviews

[Dana Alsamsam]

i like your experimentation and break from a normal poetry form in this piece! i definitely agree with your sentiments here. not only has it corrupted society but many don't even realize how far in debt they actually are because of the carelessness that they exercise with their "plastic wand." these days people are ignoring such large issues with the world that you've referenced seamlessly in place for material goods. your social commentary is clear, satirical and poignant. great work!

[Astro]

I'm glad you can appreciate my satirical side as well. I know the form isn't necessarily poetic, but I would agree that it is poignant. Thanks for the review, and sharing my feelings on this matter.

[Vikrantsingh]

1st tell me who is this Chris Martin. Just kidding your poetries are really something new and always to learn from :)
Loved it my friend :)
Thanks for the invite :)
- Singh :)

[Astro]

Happy that I could entertain you once again Singh, thanks for reading and reviewing.

[Sharon Kim]

I like it and agree with you.. It kind of reminds me of The Lorax and the thneeds.

[Astro]

I could see a parallel to that story somewhat, they definitely deal with greed and destruction. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Interesting piece, my friend. When I was younger, I got sucked into the "credit" game...then I wised up and cut up all of my cards, paid the balances, and just carry one on me for emergencies. I think people need to wise up and start learning to "save" instead of paying $500 for something that would have only cost $50 if they had just waiting two months and set the money aside. I'm lucky that i don't have a lot of money problems, but some people can only sustain themselves on credit, and it is crippling the world.

Thought provoking.

[Astro]

Why yes indeed there is a problem, a big one and I stay as far away from it as I can. The whole idea of credit is corrupt. Someone who has no credit, is in worse shape than someone who does but has a bad rating. Figure that one out. If you wish to borrow something and have no record of ever defaulting, you are less likely to be given the opportunity than someone who has borrowed and defaulted. It has nothing to do with trust like in the past where a persons word was their bond. And... most of the time you have to pay to see your own credit score. That in my opinion is the biggest scam of them all. Someone with the same name, could have completely ruined their credit and some of that info could have accidentally been put on your report, and if you aren't able to see the report without paying 50$ (or thereabouts) you will never know until your credit is taken away as you try and pay for something. You've got me ranting now, on something a bit off topic when it comes to using credit to buy things, but still has to be mentioned as well. Creditors Suck!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I sense a bit of tension here, my dear :) You need a back rub...I'll give you a virtual one... :)

[Astro]

That was "virtually" the nicest thing you could have said. I would do most anything for a back rub right about now. Thanks. :)

[Kristin Lee]

You'll never hear me knock a good sale (come on let's face it, I'm a chic, I love to shop - within reason - that would be where I'm not normal). I agree with your over all theme...I'm not going to spend money just to spend money or simply because I have some magic card that gives me power that's a sure fire way to end up in trouble. Greed and corruption are not just ridiculous but are ruining our economies.
Great piece to draw awareness to a lot of major issues.

[Astro]

That's really just it, I wanted to show the comparison to what is happening ecologically and how it is affected by, what some would call an addiction to credit, or spending. Thanks for the review, a good sale can seem attractive, but then again, they try and make it that way through advertising, that other 'evil'.

[Troy Henson]

Ah expenditure......money.....a necessary evil in life no matter how it is spent. Sales people....corrupt and looking for the big sale no matter what the consequences are for the customer.

Greta write Astro. Loved it.
Regards
Troy

[Astro]

Thanks a lot Troy. Glad you see it so clearly too!

[Glen Yumang Manese]

You set this of fire... I mean you just burned the bridge completely... no need of worry... you can buy another one on credit... The sarcasm you use with the reader gives this appeal and a food of thought type of verse... Nowadays anything seems for sale... there's no sentiment... it's just an object of affection... not salvation...

[Astro]

Thanks Glen, something truly needs to be done. I just couldn't sit idly by and be silent about it.

[Jack...]

Love this take, destruction fills the need as the bank accounts will bleed until the last to stand is nothing more than gone. Very cool my friend, and if I may...my interest rate for this poem is extremely high.

[Astro]

I'll buy that, thanks Jack.

[Holly Mason]

there is success and luxury....by the folks that work for the credit card companies*) well at least out of the 400,000 employees each major company has...the CEO gets the bonuses the rest of the employees just keep charging. I like this write quite interesting. I have a problem with minimum wage. When one hour of work cannot buy a person a gallon of gas and a gallon of milk...the only folks that will see the rainbow are the CEO's . What about the pay day loan companies...those (to me) are credit card offices to the fullest....I will gladly pay you Tuesday for an atmosphere today*)
Great write thank you for sharing

[Astro]

You are quite right on the payday loan people, as for the CEO's well they force governments to allow them to be exempt from any wrongdoing, so it will take a revolution to overcome that obstacle. Glad you liked it.

[Vile]

Hm. Not sure how I feel about this one. On one hand I enjoyed it because of the message and on the other Im not sure I groove on the whole tone of it. I think if you played with it more you could of made it more...snarky I suppose? I don't know.

I do like some of the dialogue though. Very nice.


“The last one you’ll find. I believe they’re discontinued due to impurities.”

[Astro]

Well, it was late when I wrote it, but I wasn't going for 'snarky' just sarcastic satire to illustrate something that I believe needs to change. Glad you liked some of it at least, cheers.