We cosset all our yesterdays,

We cosset all our yesterdays,

They bring comfort.

And are wheeled out

To varnish the new

With a familiar sheen.

Harsh modernism

Softened with a chocolate box

Pastiche,

To mimic earlier times.

Good old days,

That are deemed more palatable,

Safer than today.

Even the sharpness is removed

From cutting edge.

Retro is one step ahead

Of the pack.

There is no stepping forward,

Without looking back,

As popular culture

Becomes ever more banal.

With new songs

That sound like

Old ones

Chosen by panel.

Films are remade

Before the original

Stops showing,

And audiences keep growing

For juke box musicals.

With familiar tunes

And sing-alongs

That win the best of

The award season gongs.

As people live longer,

They try to look younger,

Tastes get older.

Risks once bolder

Now are not.

Instead of pushing

At boundaries

We want what was hot.

A sure fire hit

In the sweet spot.

And believe

That if we leave

Well alone,

Stick to the tried,

And trusted,

In nine times out of ten,

Market research

Has found,

We are bound,

To cut the mustard.