Product Placements

We have no need for a big estate,

a modest two and two works just great.

Have no wish for Malibu Beach,

glad Point Loma is in our reach.

Don’t want to drive a big Rolls Royce,

Something smaller would be our choice.

Forget Porsche’s 911,

I’ll just keep our old Ford revvin’.

We don’t drive to Nieman Marcus,

Target’s lot is where we park us.

I never wear Hickey-Freeman,

just wear out Dockers like a demon.

Have no need for Patek-Philippe,

a fine watch but a price too steep.

I don’t even need a Rolex,

When I’ve got my trusty Timex.

Don’t need to write with a Mont Blanc,

I’m just not a fine pen wonk.

I’ll get by with my trusty Bic

It always seems to do the trick.

I don’t need filet mignon,

But show me a burger, it’s gone.

I don’t sip pale Dom Perignon,

A glass of Sprite is just as wan.

Don’t need to make an upward move,

Doin’ just fine in my own groove.

© Richard Gilbert   October 2011

About the Following Post

An edited version of the following post was published in the February 2012 issue of The Sun, a small literary magazine.

Warning Signs

My sister Em had a long walk uphill from high school to home. One hot day she bought a cold soda near school for the trek. When she got home, a little was left, so she put it in the fridge with a note: I spit in this. Em.  Knowing anything in the fridge was fair game for each of us seven kids, she thought the note would deter us from helping ourselves to some of her drink. Later, I was in the kitchen when she went to retrieve her stash. She smiled with satisfaction as she reached for the bottle, but stopping to look at the note, frowned. She slammed the fridge door shut, poured the drink into the kitchen sink, put the empty bottle and note in the trash and stormed off to her room. I retrieved the note and found that a brother had struck; an addendum to her note said: So did I. Ben.