THE CRISIS OF OWNERSHIP SOCIETIES

 Benjamin Harnett

The Amazon Seller profile

I am browsing says confidently

“We listen to your mental appeal

of subconscious consumption.”

And I find myself knowing

exactly what they mean.

I have a list of things to procure.

It goes “short screws (?),

can opener, mud mat, batteries—

rechargeable.” We are all playing

like the crisis isn’t here.

And surely what I order

will arrive in its time

just as the election will be

(one day, one day now)

certified. Add to the list a book

Ancient Slavery, and Modern Ideology

think, “Modern Slavery, Ancient

Ideology,” ancient idols

and add: “detergent, greens,

sandwich stuff,” pretend

that private property isn’t theft.

Stalk around the house

counting from the stock

what’s left. What’s left?

Benjamin Harnett is a poet, fiction writer, historian, and digital engineer. His poetry has appeared recently in Poet Lore, Saranac Review, ENTROPY, and the Evansville Review. His short-story “Delivery” was Longform's Story of the Week; he was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize in Poetry; and he has been nominated for a Pushcart. He lives in Beacon, NY with his wife Toni and a collection of eccentric pets. He works for The New York Times.