Dogs 2020

The New Crass
(12/11/2020)

we expect
them

we endure
them

those
seasonal ads

they are
holiday tradition
in a capitalistic
society
after all

but when
the commercials
show
groups of people
gathered closely
together
without masks

we wonder

we wonder
if the industry
is so
out of touch

even more
than usual

with the lives
that most of us
are forced
to lead
in these infected
times

we wonder
if the crews
behind the cameras
are at least
obeying
the COVID
protocols

as they film
those get togethers
showing
seldom seen
mouths

usually
hidden
nostrils

portraying
perhaps
a less diseased
past

a more
hopeful future

and not
our anonymous
present

don’t
they see
the paradox?

don’t they
understand
the prevailing
pox?

apparently
not

they push
ahead
with what
has always worked
for them

seemingly
oblivious
to our upside
down
world

to the fact
that many
of us
no longer
have the jobs

the money

to afford
what they’re
selling

as if
we ever
did

we watch
those smiles

those laughs

those noses
inhaling
delicious aromas

those full faces
gathered
in public places

which
are so empty
in reality

and wonder
if any of them
will ever
belong to us
again