Behind The Glass

We tread in an eggshell society. There is fear in what we say, the words we use, the colours we wear, the foods we eat, the places we live. The rules of behaviour and speech, even the way we live daily, is now subject to social speculation and scrutiny. If a once used word is innocently spoken in error, you are shunned even if you apologise immediately. You are looked down upon if you don't live in a home that is almost bare of any reminiscent objects that you want around you for comfort and if  you retain too many of them, you could be accused of hoarding. Labels are rampant. Your rent or mortgage is maxing out. Should you want to be someone who doesn't favour hoards of people around you constantly, you are said to be reclusive. The car you drive, if not a newer model that doesn't spout certain substances, no matter how useful it is, is frowned upon. What you put on your feet is stared at with chagrin if it isn't a certain brand or colour or shape. The food you eat or not eat, is regarded as the latest what-to-do or not of the most fashionably "healthful" sort, according to whatever freaky weight-loss game is in vogue.  If you dare to weigh over a certain scheduled amount, you are told by your thin doctor, "you need to lose weight" and you agonize in shame. Gyms show in windows with row upon row of bodies sweating and beating their knees up and down going nowhere notwithstanding future knee replacement. Elders are having bodies plumped up or down, hair added or removed, fat sucked out as well as  lips and eyebrows tatooed and still don't live to one hundred twenty. In the opposite direction, the young are doing the same but at younger and younger ages. Money is scarce and credit thrives, padding up the banks and their profits. Fashion reigns and some little singer makes millions doing what nature put there as he or she trots it out on a zany lit stage as thousands pay to watch. Games are places of gambling and worship. Politicians are chosen by their looks and hollow promises they sometimes die for. But this is our world. Too bad we can't sit in outer space and watch ourselves as one would stare at an ant farm. We might learn to be wiser.