Samhain, Then & Now

Bit like a Bank Holiday really —  
those who’d died in the previous twelve months  
headed for the Underworld … and all on the same day.  
Kinda party time it was  
free food, bonfires, lots of dancing around each other  
wearing scary masks. I call it  
traditional co-operation between the living and the dead.  
 
Not now. Compulsory App reads the obligatory chip  
in your shoulder to confirm you’re officially dead  
before giving you the green light to walk on down.  
If only. Those damn algorithms are always getting it wrong;  
they declare the living dead, stop their benefits  
freeze bank accounts and remove people out of their homes.  
And they declare the dead as living, order them back to work  
fine them if they don’t; no support — you’re on your todd.  
Jesus, what a mess! Bloody authoritarian technologies  
intervening in the natural processes of life and death.  
 
Mind you though, it’s always been a fine line.