If I had this
If I had that
I would be something
I would be someone
Without things I don’t exist
Nobody looks at me
I blend in, disappear
Have no place in society
I am envious of what others have
I lay at night thinking of
what I don’t yet possess
Ownership is happiness
Shops are my temples
I pray at the altar of materialism
Things give me an identity
Validate me
It’s an absolute fact,
a truth
It’s in the magazines and on TV
if you don’t believe me
I worship things
They fill the gaping hole inside me
My adage is:
I buy, I own, therefore I am
Philosophers mean nothing to me
All I know about is price and money
Jewellery, car, scent, designer anything, tattoo
House in the right neighbourhood
iPhone, iPad, MacBook,
constantly replaced,
Kept up to date
Last season? Failure, loser.
I need the image
Image is everything
I buy to be someone
Without status I am nothing
I own things and
I am unable to see
The reality is
The Things own me
Image credit: Steve Cutts
Damn! Truthful and powerful!!
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Thanks Dara, it’s all so obvious it’s almost a cliché, hence did I really need to publish this?! You know?
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I have said the same in conversations with friends about things I’ve said not written, like I thought it was so simple but I think it seems simple to those of us who get it. It still needs to be said because sadly, there are many that just don’t get it. Not to say we are better or smarter, we just “see” it. Still a great and much needed post.
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I love this so much. Rampant materialism will swallow society one day, if it hadn’t yet. This poem is so true, and a little sad. But there’s hope for humanity. I really hope so.
Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the read. 🙂
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Thank you for reading and for your thoughts 🙂
I also think there’s hope for humanity… rampant materialism cannot possibly keep on for much longer, it’s just not sustainable.
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I’m crossing my fingers for that. And you’re welcome. Keep writing. 🙂
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There is nothing more to be said. You nailed it.
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Thank you, at the risk of repeating myself, it’s all *so* obvious that I hardly dared say it 🙂
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Sometimes saying the obvious is what people relate to the most 🙂
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Spot on! Very well written 🙂
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Thank you so much 🙂
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The materialism is overwhelming, Nathalie. You’re so right. We have allowed ourselves to be defined by what we own.
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It is true that this is the sad reality for far too many people, thank you Rob for reading, and your thoughts 🙂
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Superbly said.
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Thank you awesome pontificator 🙂
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Very nice. How true it is for so many.
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Far too many people! Thank you for your visit 🙂
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The curse of modern life. Excellently put 🙂 x
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Thank you, it is all so obvious really but I penned it all the same 🙂 x
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That’s what counts. Others wouldn’t think of doing so, but you did 🙂 x
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Well said, materialism is one of the most dangerous diseases in our society
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Thank you, and yes it really is.
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YES!! Love this! People are way to owned by their possessions!
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Thank you Matt, materialism is a terrible thing…we need more thinkers 🙂
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But we can’t take any of it with us, so where does that leave us? Great post!
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Thank you, no we can’t take any of it with us but there’s a big difference between enjoying your money and living solely to buy, especially if material possessions is the “validation” that you crave 🙂
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Agreed. 🙂
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Well said, thank you for this!!
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Thank you 🙂
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Great post.
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Thank you 🙂
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Mmmmm I liked it. I particularly liked this word string “I pray at the altar of materialism.”
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Thank you for visiting, this was just a simple little commentary on modern life 🙂
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A relatable commentary!
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Refreshing and nicely written.
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Thank you 🙂
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Nathalie, this is such a powerful commentary! So true, really enjoyed the direction that you take the reader, making this situation quite sad, indeed! Wonderfully penned! Have a lovely day.
Warm wishes,
Pepperanne
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Thank you Pepperanne for acknowledging this humble commentary of mine.
Have a wonderful day and week.
Warm wishes – Nathalie
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The things own me, what a chilling last line. It is terrible that people feel the need to consume and hoard to feel something. I’ve never seen the point in it myself, although buying a horde of books for a small sum from a second hand bookshop is something that I do feel the need to do a few times a year. They do grow me as a person though and that is my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
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Your excuse isn’t an excuse, books are exempt from this crazy nonsense buying 🙂
Books aren’t bought for status, are they? They are a completely different thing altogether, and I shall carry on, like you, piling them up in my house until I run out of space…which will be soon if I’m honest 😉
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Time for an extension to be built, or we could club together and buy a castle! I once heard of a guy who picked up Voltaire’s Candide to read in cafés just to appear intellectual and really enjoyed it but you are right books are so much more than they first appear, they are magical.
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Oh how I would love to buy a castle!!
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An excellent piece. Really enjoyed.
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Thank you, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
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Oh indeed, thank you for the lovely words.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read them 🙂
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I dare say it’s one of the best posts I’ve read that you’ve written. It either shows I don’t read enough of your posts or that I can completely relate to the post. Somehow I think both might apply… You have a gift x
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Both do apply Tom but you *really* don’t read enough of my posts…it’s outrageous really but that’s the way it is #Philistine
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i can’t figure out how to start a dm to you..so i’ll say it back here where you can erase…i’m going to start renting condo by week probably april like 1000.00 a week .. you would need 2 weeks or a month for your time zone difference. i would rent it for a lot less for april.
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Thank you for the info! Money is currently too tight to mention, but it sounds SO tempting, I’d better start saving up?
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Sad but true, I LOVE that final line x
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It *is* the best line in the entire thing, I agree 😉
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Reblogged this on "A Curious Mind".
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Such a great piece and oh so true. Sad really, isn’t it?
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Well done, great artcle my friend
I totally agree
Greetings.
Soul.
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Thank you so much my awesome friend 🙂
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