Square Biz
by Cliff Lake
It was just an ordinary day, When they cleared their throat to say: We have implemented a new frame: That way everything can look the same. Don’t worry about all that creative stress, Just subtract all the uniqueness. That way you will pass every test, Once we begin deciding what is best. Oatmeal, oatmeal, do you want a taste? What use is being unique – (I am the round peg) If you don’t fit in, You are a waste. Dumbing down Is good for the mental health, Why bother to stand out? (I am the round peg) Homogenize yourself. They said what follows as they mean to disarm, They said so cheerfully, with affected charm: Now I know some hear this with alarm, But if we’re in lockstep, what is the harm? We believe that sameness can be a plus, There’s less to think of, less to discuss. So, get in line, don’t make a fuss, We know the best program is to be just like us. Oatmeal, oatmeal, do you want a taste? What use is being unique – (I am the round peg) If you don’t fit in, You are a waste. Dumbing down Is good for the mental health, Why bother to stand out? (I am the round peg) Homogenize yourself. And so, the boundaries were then drawn, They said it was a newfound dawn, That every goose was now a swan, Lo, they prattled on and on… So, I sat back, I pondered a bit, I asked myself, what is this shit? Do I fight the power, do I just quit? No! I take a stand! Like some damn halfwit! Oatmeal, oatmeal, do you want a taste? What use is being unique – (I am the round peg) If you don’t fit in, You are a waste. Dumbing down Is good for the mental health, Why bother to stand out? (I am the round peg) Homogenize yourself. Cliff Lake 4/8/2026 Copyright © Clifford Lake 2026