Queueing Up

Mega corporations and the small entrepreneur

Ultra-mega-superchain 

Devourer of the mom and pop. 

Small businesses fold 

Bowing into obscurity 

At your mere presence. 

Cut the prices down too cheap. 

We succumb to the lure of implied frugality 

Unknowingly killing small enterprises 

And entrepreneurial dreams. 

 We queue now 

Our little plastic friend in hand 

 Looking into the blank eyes 

Of the check-out clerk 

Once the feisty proprietor 

Of the butcher shop at the corner.

Author's Note

How to kill small enterprises...

Reviews

[A. Amos]

This is one smartly written poem with interesting concept, truly enjoyed.....

[Rachelle]

Thank you!

[Sami Khalil]

I love those mom and pop businesses for they have unique tastes, recipes, characters and knowledge that is passed on from a generation to an another one. I dislike that those big fish are eating up the small ones so we can become slaves to them without more choices and diversity. I love this message here...Bravo..............

[Rachelle]

Shokran, Sami! Unfortunately, this is also happening to our ethnic grocers and supermarkets.

[Sami Khalil]

Yep. You are welcome muchly...:)...........
I love ethnic stuff too...:)...............

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

You're really a dynamic writer! Now it's about entrepreneurship.
Great!

[Rachelle]

Thank you! I grew up in a dual environment of business and medicine. It's hard not to notice. It's going to be the same once the ubiquitous malls and supermarkets hit your area.

[Shaquana Adams]

Looking into the blank eyes
Of the check-out clerk

This really is the sad truth about businesses. The form and style worked well here. Thanks for sharing :)

[Rachelle]

Thank you! The situation is the same the world over - the mega-conglomerate gobbling up the SME.

[Marie]

Very true...people gravitate to bigger and cheaper...and you can't really blame them...

[Rachelle]

... To the despair of small-scale businesses...

[Frieda P]

I felt this one in my bones, I own a small business, it's rough out there. Love the ending, the feisty butcher lost his soul...love your stuff sweetbind, it's always complex in its simplicity.

[Rachelle]

My partners and I started a company helping small and medium enterprises get their presence on the web and start their e-commerce stores. We helped others who have existing sites promote themselves online. We feel the pains of the SME.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and now a checker at Wal-Mart, one of the major contributors to this now so prevalent problem...

small is being eaten up by big...and it is a sad day..

the little family owned operations..will soon be a thing of the past..

really like your wording in this..especially the last stanza.

jacob

[Rachelle]

Haven't been here long but for America to boost its economy, it should be about empowering Americans and residents to build businesses - no matter how small, no matter how humble. This is the real way to fuel the economy.

[Lyn Anderson]

Ahh yes, and I heartily agree -- I run a small business, and I hate the big box stores -- they are everywhere. As to form, style, etc., very nicely done.

[Rachelle]

Thank you!