A Ghost Town

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 24 Mar 2018
  • 1435 reads
6 comments
 
They closed the post office,
the bank has long gone.
The reasons, we are told,
make a lot of sense.
Why have people
behind glass partitions
for trivial pursuits
such as doling out money,
when there are fine
and quick cash machines?
And if other transactions
are needed and wanted
banking online
is at your fingertips.
The butcher, the greengrocer,
the fishmonger, the bakers,
are there no more.
It is much easier
to do your shopping
at a nearby superstore
or have it delivered,
so that one can relax.
Where a flower shop was
there are now undertakers;
to remind us, I presume,
that nothing is certain
but death and taxes.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2018 
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I wonder what the next retail evolution will bring?  I bet there’s already online funeral directors.  A thought-provoking poem.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

We are halfway there, Philip, with funeral plans advertised on television.
Your feedback much appreciated and so are the cherries. Thanks.

Luigii x

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Would it ever be ok to buy a wreath from a supermarket though?

My Mum's local supermarket has got bigger and bigger as she has got frailer and wobblier. She would have been able to do her own shopping if it had not got so big. She can't understand computers so can't shop online. She can't manage the increased traffic at the end of her road (going to the huge supermarket) so she doesn't go out. She has lost her independence

 

Good point Luigi. I feel like we arew sawing off the branch we are sitting on with this pursuit of efficiency

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Di.
One by one retail outlets are disappearing and we have to rely more and more on conglomerates and automation. And woe betide anyone who hasn't got a PC or is computer illiterate.
I dare say that if the profit margin was big enough a supermarket would have no compunction in stocking a wreath.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

My late mum would never have anything to do with cash machines.  She went into the bank every week, as she always had.  One week an enterprising young cashier prevailed on her to try the ATM in the branch.  She broke it.  Literally.  Flashing lights and funny noises.  It ate her card and they had to resort to paperwork to give her some money.  'Told you,' said Mum.  

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I can sympathise, Jane. My card was devoured by an hungry ATM after three attempts. I could not understand why it would not accept my CORRECT pin code but it was my own fault: I punched the pin code for a credit card instead of a debit card. Perhaps I should have gone to Specsavers.

Luigi x