The Button Factory
A drone, I sit beside the others pushing buttons,
click, click, clickity click.A mindless task that requires a warm body,
an ergonomic chair and an able finger.
Click, click, clickity click.I don’t make buttons in the Button Factory.
I push buttons that build communities.
A meandering street, a cul de sac,
click, click, clickity click.Track homes, a city park,
click, click, clickity click.A bike path, equestrian trail,
click, click, clickity click.I produce amenities for the masses.
Cookie-cutter plastic fairy tale dreams
assembled by a sequence of buttons.
Click, click, clickity clack.“Work faster my little Button Factory workers.
Push those buttons! I need more product to sale.”
The metallic Master cracks his whip
across our drooping backs.
Click, click, clickity click,I respond in automation.
“Let her roll…” His tinny voice drones,
pushing the conveyor belt button.
Click, click, clickity click.Plastic Monopoly track homes pour
faster than I can keep up.
Click, click, clickity click.“Lucy, you’ve got some splainin’ to do.”
Click, click, clickity click.I frantically push buttons,
rearranging plastic assembly line homes.
“We’re building a community here!”
Click, click, clickity click.I have a robotic smile as
we’re building Bakersfield…
Life as it should be.
*Poem written for the
Noveltown Industrial factory-themed flim/poetry collage projection art project.
i loved that we were able to see your poem on the projector a few times that night at the art show. what great evening...
This is a great piece... thanks for liking the poetry and projection art the most. We didn't ask for such a compliment. I think the projection art's success just shows that Bakersfield needs more projection art. Camille Gavin (I think that's her name) of the local paper mentioned that the CSUB art gallery has had projection art in the past. That's cool. I never heard about it. As for Noveltown, we aren't going away and Bakersfield is going to see a lot more projection art and film... so stay tuned...
I love this poem. Very cool. The whole projected piece took me back a bit. I wasn't expecting that, to be honest. N.L.'s son did a great job! It was a very exciting day, especially since it started with my wife and I becoming grandparents, then ending with an awesome night of new art and new friends! Pleasure to meet you and talk a bit, take care-dave