Linguistic Kaleidoscope

Recession:
The wave of progress falters.
Relentless pounding on the shore
Recedes as the tide turns.


A downturn:
An inverted smile.
The disappointing of our expectations
While the economy wanes.


Affordability:
Euphemism for no choice -
What we persuade ourselves
Can be afforded – or must.


Economic viability:
How many lives can we save?
How many kidneys, hearts, livers
Can we afford to repair or replace?


Sustainability:
How many wells can be dug,
Mouths fed, babies born
In this modern day economy?


Adjusted:
Wages down, prices up,
The interest on our savings plans…
Rarely in our favour.


Human resources:
Cogs in a machine;
A subtraction from the jobless total.
Is that all?


A challenge:
Another hardship faced
That must be endured stoically,
With a smile.


Kaleidoscope:
Our changing meanings,
Rearranging patterns,

Spinning round and round.

The poem is short but this story is a long one, it seems. We began so long ago, even before Northern Rock and the newly-coined phrase: the Credit Crunch. It seems a long time ago now and we thought we were reading a short story. Now it is becoming an epic novel and still the saga continues. It is still current news. The media love it. Even the government of the Netherlands has been dissolved due to the inability to agree on a plan of austerity measures. Nothing has changed, except that we have become used to it. It is still about dwindling pensions, increasing taxes, spending cuts and unemployment. Gradually it is changing our outlook on life and our language reflects it. It gives out the subtle message that life is simply about money - about lots of it or about having less: too much or too little. Is that all? I hope not. It is a sad story, that's true, but we are made of stronger stuff and we will get through this and find another tale to tell with a happier ending. At least, I am trusting so.