Brave New World

On my way to eat plastic sushi

We could have had at my place

I breathe in a good lungful of city air

And nearly choke

Leaning forward onto the sterile table

You tell me you’ve found a new way to hurt yourself

You claim it’s for the boys

But I know it’s only for you

Oh! It’s a brave new world

We advance so fast

Our problems are already in the past

We’ve got it all under control

Oh! It’s a brave new world

We read women’s magazines

Scrutinizing the skinny women

The one man confined to a nude pic

Are we any better, I wonder

You tell me I’m a pessimist

I should stick my head in the sand

Have fun on this wild ride

Just like you – oh.

Oh! It’s a brave new world

Issues, we have none

Misogyny has been and gone

Our only way is up

Oh! It’s a brave new world

I head back home alone

Jump back onto the sidewalk

Death streaks past, its horn blaring

Would anyone have noticed me gone?

I cross the street to avoid my stalker

Phone and keys slippery in my hands

I dash inside, welcomed by loneliness

The unwanted embrace of my old friend

Oh! It’s a brave new world

We’re merrily spinning out of control

Wasn’t saving the planet our goal?

Ah, well, too bad -

Oh! It’s a brave new world

Ziferblat London

Last week, I visited Ziferblat in London. The concept had first come to my attention when the Moscow Ziferblat was featured in BBC’s World’s Busiest Cities series. The café looks like someone’s living room and instead of paying for your drinks, you pay for the time you spend there. I thought this was a great idea, so I decided to give it a look!

I happened to drop in at Ziferblat on a Friday evening, which turned out to be the evening on which the local writers gather to work their magic. While they were doing so, my husband and I played Exploding Kittens and had some very strong tea the host, Ariel, had recommended. Afterwards we had a nice chat with the group; we all introduced our work and exchanged ideas on character building. All in all a very pleasant evening. I may just make sure that my next trip to London includes a Friday… 

You can read one of the Ziferblat writers’ work at https://medium.com/@pickledpen. Check it out!