Clothes Make the…
Picture this
A cocktail party
Only chic elites parading in
Ralph Lauren, Valentino
Stella Mc (no, no Butterick)
Dripping in blood from
Harry Winston diamonds
Sleek, shiny, baubled
Finest wardrobe money can buy
Picture this gathering of
the 85 people who own
HALF the wealth of the
planet. 85 = $½ of ALL OF IT*
Crappy, credible math
They drink, snort, and laugh about
those wretched K-Mart shoppers
About the 99% (that’s you and me)
“How do they manage?”
“They should get real jobs”
“I never shop at WalMart,”
smirks one of Sam Walton’s girls
Their gowns, regardless of
high-fashion label, imported
from Chinese sweatshops
from Indonesian factories
Bangladesh burned but they’re
still pumping out product,
thanks to hard-working
child slave labor (and women)
These rich women, coiffed
and manicured, preening
These sons of smarter men, coiffed
and manicured, peacocks
They say clothes make the man
but these schmucks
sure as hell didn’t
make their clothes
© 2014 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
* Per OxFam, a non-partisan worldwide watchdog for the underprivileged
First, a HUGE “thank you” to all who have sent messages asking where I’ve been and if I am all right. Long story short: Played at two Christmas Eve services, then got the holiday/deep winter depression… followed by a flu I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Not even GWB. But finally able to sit at my desktop (the messages were monitored on my phone, but it’s no good for posting poetry) and contribute once again.
So off to my “play pond” I ran! Shay at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads’ Fireblossom Friday wanted a poem in which clothing is a major component. See, I can still be politically snarky while writing about high fashion! Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Kerry O'Connor
They sure as hell didn’t. Sharp Little Pencil certainly is back and firing on all cylinders in this expose of the wicked self-interest of the .5 percentile of filthy rich.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha! Kerry is the first to hear my usual ranting, clothed in Valentino… thanks, hon!
Sumana Roy
love this forceful volley of fiery words and the starkness of expression….the power and compassion combine beautifully…great lines…
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sumana. I appreciate your coming by, and now I’m headed your way! Amy
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
camels and needles come to mind. Sorry you’ve been poorly. My poetry muse is on semi-strike, too – only works in fits and starts.
I had a pair of Dior shoes for my first wedding in 1960 – cost me a months’ wages, and our puppy ate ONE of them.
Sharp Little Pencil
Doesn’t it figure? The ONE thing you spend a bundle on… that’s why I keep cats. They only shed on my nice stuff!! Amy
brian miller
no they dont…not a party i would be too comfortable being in and would get kicked out the first chance i had to put one of them in their place…ha…sorry its been a rough season for you amy…good to see you though….
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, I’d be bounced about the same time as you! I have no patience for the pampered. Once saw a nouveau riche idiot put out his cigarette on a RODIN. I was playing piano. I got up and told him off and left without expecting payment, but I did tell the host what happened, and he was outraged. I could not play for such idiots. A
grapeling
good to see you, Amy ~
Sam Edge, Writer
love love love this! perfect mix of sarcasm and clever commentary on a world gone nuts!
coalblack
Welcome back!!! And she comes out snappin’! Though she be but little, she is fierce”! (Shakespeare)
85 people have HALF?!? 85! Wowwww. You caught the entitled snobbery to a tee, and I loved the line about sons of smarter fathers. On the backs of millions, a few enjoy their ease. Ah well, the last shall be first and many of the first shall be last. Ever seen a camel squish itself through the eye of a needle? (I just love it when “prosperity” preachers try to tell people that that verse doesn’t say what it clearly says!)
The Transcanada Poet
great commentary poem.. about issues that seem to be pushed into the background…. I have often traveled passed abandoned textile mills and abandoned houses in the Carolinas and Southern Virginia..all those people displaced ,life’s changed forever .. for a few pennies more into the cash register.. Great to see you back… 🙂
Rachelle Smith Stokes
I approve of this message! Very clever word play as well. Especially the blood diamonds lines!
Altonian
Welcome back Amy, and swinging with both fists, as usual. Terrific piece!
I have had a bit of a hiatus recently, but am creeping back with my new blog:
http://theoldbroom.blogspot.com/
Stormcat
I love it “Butterick” They wouldn’t even know what it means! Brilliant!
hedgewitch
Sharp and (literally) on the money, Amy. Saw this stat last week, as well as all the gushy froth about this supposed sym[posium of the wealthy of inequality–probably to discuss why Morgan Stanley has bigger bonuses than Goldman Sacks.. Loved it, and good to see you back.
Helen
Sharp Little Pencil .. USING that sharp pencil, in a loud strong, clear voice! I’ve sewn many a frock using a Butterick pattern. How fun seeing that name.
Roger Green
Welcome back. Burn their stupid butts, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha ha ha ha. Got a match?
El Guapo
Glad to see your absence hasn’t dulled your pencil!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Guap. I’ve missed you.
El Guapo
Likewise!
You might get a kick out of this one – one of my stupider adventures.
http://guapola.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/an-adventure-the-naked-bar-slide/
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Lord, I went to the link and I’m still laughing out loud, all alone in my office. The cat is now scared to come into the room…! You are so damned much fun, you. Amy
dani
you could still be politically snarky writing about pig crap! (one of the things i love about you, Amy!) glad you’re feeling better!
i just saw an ad for a Stella McCartney purse for $1800+ ~ i swear to god! how many people could that feed? what beyond her name is she really selling? it literally made me sick to my stomach.
and a belated happy new year!
♥
Sharp Little Pencil
Oi. Gee, do you really think she is trading on her daddy’s name? Like GWBush? Shocker…!
Pig crap. Oh, yeah, we already did that one with Dick Cheney. Right on target as always, and yes, the price of a single purse that is more than our RENT? Holy crap. Coming your way now… Amy
gabrielle
I read this statistic earlier this week–unfathomable. thanks for the outrage expressed by your sharp little pencil. butterick is a stroke of genius. Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling so poorly. Hope you are feeling better soon.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, hon. Yes, isn’t that unbelievable? But as long as we have FaceBook and other things to keep us distracted, they will remain on top. Time to unplug… except for blogs, ha ha ha. Amy
Lindy Lee
Real fashion & actual wealth have no materiality. As usual, your few words speak volumes…
J Cosmo Newbery
Good to see you again Amy There is much that is wrong with this world; clothing is but one.
Sara v
Hi Amy! So good to see you again 🙂 There is an incredible amount of injustice in this world. Working on making it better. Hugs 🙂
purplepeninportland
Right on Target, Amy!