Secret Agent Artist

I said I’d not eat in McDonalds -
but then it was there-

the proverbial mountain of gold dust
lit up like a dancing girl -

and everywhere else was closed -
it being a religious day

and only the church of Ronald McDonald,
was sending it’s teenage priests to pray.

I said I’d not eat in McDonalds
with it’s choices of burger

or burger and fries.
it’s dark eyed and listless workers

it’s glossy bright awning
the same in Dubai.

I said I’d not eat in McDonalds
where they serve only minimum wage

where expectations are swollen with chip fat
and people collect coupons for more of the same.

I said I’d not eat in McDonalds
but everywhere else was closed

and I couldn’t believe it was really that awful -
till I’d unwrapped the burger,

bleak as the lino.