Nice Try

by Paul Lojeski / March 2nd, 2014

You’re 14 now, old
enough to know.
No, it’s not sex
and drugs and rock
and roll, although
we should talk
about those, as well.
No, I need to tell
you about the
missiles. You
see, despite
the brilliance
of science
and it’s that
and more, just
look at Curiosity
on Mars, for
example, it often
goes off the rails,
so to speak.
Whether it was
a genetic defect
that drove us to
the brink, I don’t
know, but you and
your friends need
to be made aware
that mankind has
built and armed
enough nuclear
missiles to obliterate
all life as we know
it on this planet.
All life as we know
it. Hey, I don’t blame
you for being upset.
What’s that? My
fault? Now hold on,
young lady. There
was nothing
I could’ve done
about it. Where’re
you going? Come
back here this
instant! You don’t
understand. I’m
just one person.
Please, honey,
come back.
What was I
supposed to do?

Paul Lojeski's poetry has appeared in journals and online. He’s also the author of the satiric novel, The Reverend Jimmy Pup. He lives with his wife and daughter in Port Jefferson, NY. Read other articles by Paul.

This article was posted on Sunday, March 2nd, 2014 at 7:25pm and is filed under Poetry.