Getting Screwed Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

We live in times of affluence,
the supermarts sell plenty
I drive a fat Mercedes Benz
require no dementi
the money lies out in the street
and some of us do get it
and even coppers on the beat
they pick it up, don't fret it.

The politicians tell us gladly
that times could not be better
but in the back conspire madly
to make their holdings fatter.
We have convenience foods enough
for microwave and grill
and nowhere is the going rough
we all can get our fill.

Thus, I observe that fellow man
is smiling, never frowning
the paper in our private can
shows patterns before drowning
and fuel prices going up
do not disturb the masses
the managers way at the top
they wipe their hairy asses
with dollar notes and well they should
but only use one side
they know what's right for us and good
so let this be a guide:
We are the sheep of this great nation
all sheep need frequent dipping
in chemicals from potent rations
while those in charge keep sipping.

The hands that cradle common folk
are caring, loving ones
they may look like incredi-hulk
but do stick to their guns.
And guns they have to give to us
when they want to make war
for all the world it is a plus
to teach them evermore
that we ourselves are supermasters
we love democracy
creating new and fresh disasters
we're honey from the bee.

In any case I'll make this short
there is a little matter
please do not fret, the last resort
concerns the silent patter
of innocence from tiny feet
that no one seems to hear
we'd listen to the seventh fleet
those guys do not know fear.
Society is what we know
they do allow us sex
our liberation makes this so
but I detect a hex.

So blind of eye and deaf of ear
and thinking with our crotches
we trust in God and drink our beer
and some of us drink scotches.
Yet it escapes us what this world
has turned into of late
while no one looked and conscience curled
itself right near its mate
which is, of course, you guessed it, yes
the mother of all troubles
and at the root of every mess
it does release green bubbles
which, don't you know, are envy bits
and all these are related,
first cousins who go on the Fritz
when people are sedated.

We are screwed by the doctor,
by the butcher and baker,
by the spinster-like proctor
and the candlestickmaker.
We take shit from insurance
and from traffic police
we don't mind the endurance
stand in line for our cheese
we are screwed by the teachers
and the auto mechanic
even harder by preachers
but allowing no panic
so, it goes without saying
that we love to be screwed
it is never dismaying
we are always subdued.
I will not be specific
I will leave that to you
yes, this world is terrific
and the sky? It is blue.