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Cathode Haze

by Jim Benz

There is a drone in my living room

at this moment, it sits darkly
waiting, watching with a big glass eye

My wife, when she drinks too much wine

covers it with towels
because she is strange and intuitively subversive

Beyond the dark, reflective lens

is an evil brain, a will
so devious, so insidious

A rational man will empty his wallet in worship

But the beast is turned on
so I grip the arms of my easy chair and moan

this is not an environment conducive to verse

This is the sepulcher of dreams
where children surrender

and mothers smile through their tears

Look, your father pushes buttons
becoming nothing, like an automaton

so his head might be filled

With empty pleasure, sung like madrigals
from the ritual of cathode haze

This is not a benevolent grace

10/25/2005

Posted on 10/25/2005
Copyright © 2024 Jim Benz

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Tom Goss on 10/25/05 at 03:57 PM

Enjoyed! The TV never gets turned on at my house :)

Posted by Michelle Angelini on 10/25/05 at 07:19 PM

Jim, you've just given me a terrific reason not to get satellite again, not that I'm much of a tv watcher. Maybe I should have a sticker on my backpack (well, I don't have a car) that says, "I'd rather be writing and reading poems"?
~Chelle~

Posted by Heide McAlister-Bates on 10/26/05 at 08:37 PM

Love this, Jim - the telly sucks the creativity right out of you, and spits out a load of pablum for the masses.

Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 10/28/05 at 12:47 AM

Television.......Chewing gum for the eyes. Enjoyed this, Jim.

Posted by Cole Bradburn on 10/28/05 at 02:37 AM

Jim...Incredible. I love this piece as it so truthfully deplores the boob tube. How much precious family time/personal betterment has been robbed by this malevolant thief cleverly disguised as entertainment. bravo

Posted by Joseff Marat on 10/28/05 at 06:52 AM

interesting.

Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 11/09/05 at 08:10 AM

Jim, many congrats on POTD, well deserved! ....NEWS AT 11!

Posted by Laura Doom on 11/09/05 at 11:51 AM

I read into this many things, not only relating to worship/enslavery/'remote' control, but also, by reference, implications relating to appeasing the conscience (aid & evangelist appeals etc.) - no-one can I didn't 'lift a finger' to help :>.
A compelling piece of passive 'action' - now all that remains is to summon sufficient energy and will to press that 'Add the comment' button...
[when do we get remotes for operating mouse & keyboard?]

Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 11/09/05 at 05:13 PM

OMG, do you have a hidden camera in my family room? This is really inspired and dryly amusing, and especially speaks to all the late nights I've been slack-jawed in front of the "glass teat" instead of being creative! Congrats on POTD, by the way.... d:-)

Posted by Lauren Singer on 11/09/05 at 06:55 PM

this is chilling and dark, and of course, very true. sounds a lot like my own experiences growing up, mine and three quarters of america, i'd imagine! congrats on POTD, and wonderful poetry!

Posted by Michelle Angelini on 11/09/05 at 10:02 PM

Jim, CONGRATULATIONS on POTD! I still like this poem for all the reasons I did before. ;-)
~Chelle~

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