Poetry

Fibonacci Blue photo

By

James Kowalczyk

Twisted Invocations of the Republic

I

Our AR-15s

thou art

America’s prized possessions

hallowed be thy name

thy damage is welcome

thy will be done

in crowds

as it is on

the battlefield

give us this day

our daily dead

and forgive us our trespasses

as we do not forgive

those who trespass against us

lead us into temptation

and deliver  us to evil

for thine is the kingdom

the power

and the glory

forever and ever

Amen

II

Hail to my Glock

full of ammo

the power

is with thee

blessed art thou

among weapons

and blessed is the fruit

of thy chamber

death

Holy munitions, Mother of war

pray

for more victims

and at the hour

of our end

Amen

James Kowalczyk

James Kowalczyk was born and raised in Brooklyn but now lives in Northern California with his wife, two daughters and four cats. He teaches English at both the high school and college levels. His work has appeared online and in print.