Poem: the rebirth of smoke

there is no reason to panic until the dogs begin to lie on each other’s bellies & make love like humans. this will surely be the time when sharks build houses out of snow & whale songs are played on the radio. this will be the time of alcoholic babies & washing machine pornography. until this happens, there is no reason to panic, continue killing trees. if history has taught us anything it is: shoot first, bathe later & never confess when the toothbrush is still wet. this will be the time of the pagan rebirth of smoke & the sharks will hibernate with the bears & it will all happen in your living room or your garden. there is nothing you can do to stop it, it will be the end of laughter & the panic will wash over you like red wine on egyptian cotton.

About M.G. Martin

M.G. is the author of One For None (Ink Press, 2010). His work has appeared in PANK, elimae, Everyday Genius and >kill author. He lives in Brooklyn. the rebirth of smoke was a finalist for The Best Short Writing in the World 2011.

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