Jesus Christ, Superstore

A Rock-bottom Opera

Jesus Christ, Superstore,
what is the end cost of saving more?
Jesus Christ, do you think
you have us fooled with that yellow wink?

Yellow wink? Like golden-skinned
children of Bangladesh that you've locked in?
Or Yellow wink, as in mean,
faux all-American stock machine?

Businesses, large or small,
find out the deal's at your beck and call.
They must fall in line; or fail,
then settle their debts with an auction sale.

Vlasic had pickles cold,
till they became strapped by "gallon gold."
When they tried to back out—
Jesus, they found out who had the clout.

Superstore, you pulverize
company's coupons to advertise
product lines. "Cut our price.
No need in giving the credit twice."

Kinkade won't care—he'll concede
ghost painters paint till their fingers bleed.
Irony? "Cottage" art
take-offs are sold by a discount mart.

Jesus Christ, Superstore,
most of your stuff's from a foreign shore.
Recalls claim, "Paint with lead
mistakenly used." (Geez— no kids are dead!)

Stoners stock, late at night.
A stretch of the Equal Employer, right?
Shoppers dodge, if they're swift,
high-speeding forklifts that have the shift.

Watch young Moms grocery shop:
10 lbs. of french fries in one big plop.
Generic foods can be dull.
Does she need cheaper bean casserole?

By-the-hour wage is poor,
but work on a Sunday, they'll pay you more.
Yes, they know—Sunday's Church.
But they can't leave their patrons in the lurch.

Jesus Christ—union-free.
Workers, according to you, agree.
Income in Quebec stores slowed—
So that's why their new union stores have closed.

Benefit counseling:
No health, for two years—the state will spring:
staff insure with Medicaid
or spouses' employers, whose costs cascade.

Jesus Christ, we're enticed,
but who in the long run is sacrificed?
Mom & Pop's. Factories.
Families, both here & those overseas.

Jesus Christ, Discount Mart.
who's on the top of your Business Chart—
Jesus Christ? Superstore,
your Chief of Staff's on a lower floor.

© Christy Armistead