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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Welcome



Welcome.
To prove you’re not a robot, type the following
sequence of letters and numbers
I’m sorry
That was incorrect
Do you wish to try again?
I’m sorry
That is not allowed
We will require a more secure method
To authenticate your humanness
Please hold your wrist over the scanner
Thank you
Hello Jane!
We notice that you have ingested
Twice the recommended amount of sodium within the past 24 hours
Do you wish to drink some water?
Perhaps a salad
made with bacteria-free, radiated, chlorinated escarole?
(with reduced fat dressing, of course)
Please choose one of the following options:
Yes, please! / Later, please!
We notice that your blood pressure is a little high, Jane
Have you been taking your government approved, doctor prescribed pills?
Warning:
Failure to comply with government approved, doctor prescribed health regimens
May result in tax penalties or
other appropriate sanctions
Remember, Jane,
Good citizens do not neglect their health
Compliance is contagious-Spread the Word!
Based on your recent internet activity
and the monitoring of your monthly purchases,
Here is something in which you may be interested:
Authenivits!
New Authenivits combine a government approved multi-vitamin
with a small, easy-to-swallow personal recognition device
in one yummy tasting capsule!
No more struggling to remember your personal identification number
It’s a healthy part of you!
You’ll never feel lost with Authenivits 
because we can always find you!
(Now available in tasty gummies!)
Do you wish to exit now?
Please choose one of the following options:
Yes, I wish to exit now / No, I wish to remain
I’m sorry
You have not yet completed the mandated face hours
with your computer for today
Please remain online
and one of our friendly operators will be with your shortly
to assist you…

submitted for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads, Sharkey's Day (Laurie Anderson inspired poems)

Digital tats and authentification pills are not just the stuff of my warped imagination. Frighteningly, Motorola is working on these very devices. Check out this interview here. Scary.

4 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

Oh, brilliant, brilliant, LM!

I caught the Laurie Andersen tone at once, but with full measure of your own wit and keen eye for the ironic. Behind my laughter, I felt the cold hand of truth with a string grip on the back of my head... I forgot my ID number today...

Kerry O'Connor said...

Oops *strong grip*

Marian said...

I LOVE THIS.
that is all.
what, you want more?
i said, i love this.
that is
all.
:)

Brian Miller said...

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sorry just practicing word verification....HAL will rule the world, soon enough. scary what we are coming to.