In a meritocracy,
No one is truly valued.
Effectiveness equals the qualification
For being dispensable until disposable.
Frigid fabricators of fruitfulness
Enshrine productivity gods,
Creating the antithesis of creativity.
Thrown out with regulated relish—
Inviting judgment with convenience
Vying its way into compromised canon.
Effectiveness in what, exactly?
Never defined in veritable ways,
Effectiveness means conformity.
Slaves will eat the scraps of effectiveness.
Sadly, snakes will devour those slaves.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: December 9th, 2025 08:50
- Comment from author about the poem: I’m now published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 14
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Friendship, Mutley Ravishes, Salvia.S

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Comments4
Powerful words rock the stone tablets and shake loose the ten rules leaving only one might makes right. Cleverly worded and well constructed this one is a fave.
Thank you Soren! I love how you put that…shaking the stone tablets and exposing the one rule the system actually lives by. 💯 Truly grateful it resonated, my friend! 🖤🔥📉🙏
You are most welcome Tristan
Good write T. This is ridiculous, P (we knows him) and must stop. What must stop? Don't answer that! lol.
Thank you, Orchi! Much appreciated, my friend. You too, P! Your glug really made me glugging glug glug, you know? 🤮🤣
Strong words, my friend, well done. The poem addresses themes of productivity, conformity, and the consequences of a meritocratic society. The poet explores the idea that effectiveness is often misdefined and serves to marginalize true creative expression.
Friendship, thank you…you caught the heart of the critique. When “effectiveness” becomes the measure, humanity gets carved out of the picture. I’m grateful you saw the creative cost of that so sharply. Rock on, my friend! 🖤🔥📉🙏
This is 🔥! It is a powerful critique of societal values, highlighting the tension between productivity and humanity. The language is sharp, and the imagery is striking. Very well written dearest Tittu!!!
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