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I would say the one word that best describes this poem is “determination.” Throughout the story, the character is plagued by an unavoidable sense of urgency, unease, and trepidation. However, he eventually finds the strength to put an end to the psychological torture. In other words, he refuses to become inundated by what has been normalized, and that’s commercialization. In addition, depending on how one interprets the story, it could also be seen as a removal of what doesn’t help with growth. As I wrote this poem, I thought of Tyler Durden from the film “Fight Club, and his contempt for the consumer perspective, and how we’re all seeking temporary pleasures. Instant gratification is a drug, and then once we feel empty, we continuously search for more without second thought. Instead of debating the morality of this, I’m merely expressing in this poem that it exists, and it will only exacerbate as we advance in technology.
All in all, I believe everything I said applies to everything we involve ourselves in; we are constantly either celebrating or mourning. Moreover, we should feel grateful for the things we take for granted because nothing lasts forever. There’s always a task that’s missing on our “list” that we need to include and complete. Rinse and repeat. Meanwhile, we search for answers and want to ensure that clarity isn’t something that will abandon us when we need it most.
Oscillating smoke spreads and billows
Locked on a couch so deep,
A storm of euphoria invades his lungs with every inhale
The TV volume, a gentle hum,
Until a relentless infomercial appears
“Buy now!” it exclaims emphatically, as they always do
But he will not concede to the nuisance
His inner voice, a frantic plea
“Get up, Goddamit! Get up! Just change the channel!”
But gravity, a cruel, strong hand
Holds him tight in his hazy land
A potent hybrid strain
Ties his limbs with spasms and an invisible chain
The offers grow increasingly louder
Relentlessly incessant and grandiose with every sentence,
He fights valiantly to defeat this interruption
That convinces the impetuous with deductions
Tyler said to let it go
And fight through the pain with vitality
But it’s all psychologically deteriorating
No longer languishing
Empowered by a surge, he feels fully energized
His frustration will be weaponized on the televised
As Ms. Angelou once said, Still I Rise,
And with that, he opens his eyes
His outstretched hand trembles, but he’s still in control
He aims, points, and presses with urgent might
To banish this unsightly commercial that disturbs his night
But nothing changes; the obstinate screen won’t surrender
The infomercial’s mystifying hold won’t relinquish
Hysteria amplifies in his hazed head.
Batteries checked, a frantic scan, no faulty power, only broken plans
The TV mocks his misery
And watches him fall to his knees
Uncooperative, perplexing, immutable
The volume drops,
A vociferous pitch that seems unstoppable
He staggers forth, a final try, to turn it off,
Now a teardrop cascades down his right eye
The power button remains pressed
A silent defiance,
His hopes for respite are fiercely thwarted
No click, no fade, no welcoming of darkness
Just endless sales, leaving behind their transactions
Exhaustion sets in, a heavy burden to carry,
His heightened senses finally break
Unable to stand
The couch embraces his landing
A requiem for lost equanimity,
He ignores their wishes to join
And closes his eyes, one last deep breath to lost serenity
He inhales and sees nothing but fog,
Yes fog
“It will soon pass,” the voice assures him
A thud, a silence, cold and deep,
His consciousness sinks with force
The infomercial volume fading is the last sound he remembers
But fortunately
His phone alarm strikes through his bender
Beyond the harrowing haze
Sore and tender eyes open slowly to the splendor of a sunrise.
A message greets him on a black screen
One of those channel system announcements
And reads
“Don’t think you’re too cool to be a big spender”
Real Free - Flowing Words 
Wow…BRAVO! Thank you. I also follow some Buddhist blogs and David Cain’s Raptitude blog and this has been on my mind lately as they delve into our hyperconsumerist system and the preciousness of that which is devalued by this system. Also the loss of loved ones the last couple of years has underscored this in my life, so thanks again for your inspiring and thoughtful poetry.
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Oh, also this line called back to me the unforgettable (sometimes I wish it was forgettable LOL) film, Requiem For a Dream:
“A requiem for lost equanimity…”
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You’re very welcome. As always, thank you so much for reading, commenting, and in this case, sharing this insightful information. This poem took me a few weeks to write and I’m glad it made a profound impact that resonated with you, and hopefully it will with other readers. Peace.
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Television and one of the characters’ fate plays a part in that film. (I’m replying to myself because there’s no Edit button, at least via phone,ugh!😅) Alright, enough rambling and blessed be my WordPress friend!
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