—is fully
automatic
—is a pistol god
scamming for safety
—is a wilting
plant cocked
in the corner
—is a concealed
structural crack
—offers whiplash
apologies
—is a scattershot
chandelier
—is a fireproof house
in a blazing town
—is a stained
cathedral
—pulls a trigger
and smiles for
the photo
—is rife with
legality
—is a dictionary
redirect: see
PALLOR, see
POWER, see
DENIAL
—grips a
monopoly
on grief
—needs to
get to the
point
—aims its AR-15
wherever two
or three are
gathered
—sends thoughts
and prayers
through the
barrel
________
Kayla Berkey lives in Pittsburgh where she works as a news editor. She has published poems in Voices from the Attic Vol. XXI and Pittsburgh City Paper’s Chapter and Verse, and is a member of the Madwomen in the Attic writing workshops.
Photo by JJ Ying.
