Quota

By Cliff Lake

 

Quota

 

As I stood in line

Waiting for my propaganda quota,

To get my fill of the pamphlets,

The posters,

The promos,

The pills,

I tried to imagine a time

When it wasn’t required,

And I might be allowed to think for myself.

What happy days they could have been!

Waking every morning unadvised,

Not quite knowing where you might go or,

What you might wear to work or,

Where you might lunch that day or,

What you might do that evening.

Think of it!

A myriad of choices!

All yours to make!

Clothing of different colors,

Different styles,

Mixing and matching!

Varieties of foods,

Some cold!

Some hot!

Yours for the asking!

And what if you (on your own)

Could choose your entertainment?

Or simply choose to stay home?

Imagine!

Your entire day

Filled with choices,

Selections,

Options,

Opportunities…

And being forced your every waking minute

To have an opinion,

To have preferences…

To make decisions…

On your own!

What a nightmare!

How confusing!

So much work!

Isn’t it easier to be told what to like,

And what to hate?

Isn’t it easier

To be assigned your place?

Isn’t it easier

Not thinking?

I’m much happier

Than those people must have been.

I know this

Because I’m told to know it.

And let’s face it,

The pills help.

God bless the USA!

 

Cliff Lake 4/13/2025

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

Location: Washington, DC, USA

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