Polyethylene Apathy by Ryan Racine

by Marcus Fessler

Polyethylene Apathy

“Plastic is entirely engulfed in its usage: one of these days objects will be invented merely for the pleasure of using them.”- Rolland Barthes, “Plastic,” from Mythologies
 
The public protests for its
absence, a chemical
surplus whose molecular makeup is
replaced by
a new synthetic sibling.
 
You were a small monomer when
Christmas consisted of
rituals, gathering
 plastic barricade for
 your own sentimental security.
 
Now past macromolecular pleasures
risk economic existence and enjoyment
 for the future generation. Fingers no
longer setting off inflated stumps as loud
as aftershave to the sound of
 their obsessive compulsion.

Ryan Racine