Indoctrination (Acquiesce to madness)
Poem (audio) with commentary
Acquiesce to madness…
This notion is hell
but phonetically pleasing, “nice”,
like “poubelle”,
how a “trashcan” is said
in Paris or Nice.
How deep this madness,
such sadness.
We’ve come under the spell,
compelled into the gentle easing
of indoctrination.
COMMENTARY
I was musing about the scores of impressionable humans who’ve fallen into socio-cultural indoctrination (extreme social justice, political correctness and Covidian movements in particular) in this so-called “Great Reset” era.
Seemingly the indoctrinated feel just “fine”. That they have “acquiesced” to indoctrination is not a bad thing in their mind. It sounds nice to them, just like
the pretty phonetic quality of the 3-syllable word , “acquiesce”.
from etymology.com
acquiesce (v.)
1610s, "remain at rest" (a sense now obsolete); 1650s as "agree tacitly, concur," from French acquiescer "to yield or agree to; be at rest," (14c.), from Latin acquiescere/adquiescere "become quiet, remain at rest, rest, repose," thus "be satisfied with, be content," from ad "to" (see ad-) + quiescere "become quiet," from quies (genitive quietis) "rest, quiet" (from PIE root *kweie- "to rest, be quiet"). Related: Acquiesced; acquiescing.
So now, we arrive at the intersection of poetry and travel (if you will) here:
Over the years, I have picked up some French and have marveled over various phrases and words, such as “poubelle”. Though it means “trash can or bin”, it sounds lovely and now I’m happy to use it in an original poem, albeit, a poem in English.
There is also a French inspired restaurant called La Poubelle, located in trendy Los Feliz, a Los Angeles enclave. As of this writing, the dinner eaterie is open and serving but may be on its way to closure.
Gathering from recent online posts from patrons, it seems that restaurant management has acquiesced to madness by electing to have solely the New World Order system of QR code scanning from cell phone to place an order. No more ordering your coq au vin and glass of Merlot from an elegant paper menu with French writing. And the waiter doesn’t take the order from your table at all. Awful!
Of course, the excuse is made for the restaurant changing to QR code scanning due to Covid concerns- reducing wait staff for cutting budget and doing “safety measures” by minimizing human contact. However, these measures have proven to be misguided and there a danger in slashing essential costs that are key in keeping the biz open in the first place. And with digital technology being favored over waiters (essential human workers), there goes quality patron service- in the trash! Hmmm… perhaps the restaurant’s name is not ironic after all! La Poubelle is getting dumped by even loyal patrons, judging from super negative reviews.
Perhaps I’ll seek out for one more time next time in Los Angeles but my memory of La Poubelle will remain favorable. Suggested by a French boyfriend, I adored this place. It was a charming, unassuming place to eat a great meal. Perfect for a date. Food was freshly made and authentic in flavor, portion size was substantial for a French place, the ambiance was super inviting, less crowded but not empty.
Let me know about your city/town restaurant or most memorable restaurant experience in Chat.
