They shortened their names.
They played the same games.
All cars were alike on highway and pike.
In similar houses
Sipping their Stingers
Identical spouses giggled in chorus
As manicured fingers of lovers in unison
Undid the plastic pearl buttons of blouses.
Everything was on time.
Lateness of course was a crime.
Spontaneous laughter or tears?
Not beyond age seven years.
Wearing their porcelain smile
Pedestrians walked single file
Dressed in the best-copied style
In the nicest, the safest
The always correct shades of grey.
No more beginnings or endings.
Everything simply went on.
And on. And on.
And on . . .