Fiddler on the Roof

Are you still alive or
Have they been holding up your effigy
Stuffed with straw and smoked with
Adulterated petroleum droplets?

Are you still alive or
Have they subsumed you within
Their gigantic system as a cog in
The Great Wheel that churns out

Miniature prototypes like you and me...

Do you think we lead our double lives in peace?
As faceless, mass produced ball bearings for them,
And writhing with unuttered inner conspiracies for ourselves?

Rebellious or compliant, do you think?
These prototypes like you and me?