Holodomor Tactics

It was his constant referencing of ‘Cannibalism’
which drew our individual attention his way.
Then he lost his temper…
we grouped together and beat him to death.
Tempers are dangerous, liabilities…
‘Starving’ is all about self-control and stamina,
at least until the weakness floors and cripples you.
Being geographically imprisoned
next to weak people doesn’t help matters,
I would normally practice avoidance.
We learnt the hard way the nice ones disappear first,
the aggressive, and impatient follow soon after…
it’s the emotional, and mental poker-faces
which last the longest when the chips are down.
Anyway, he tasted a little like boiled pork,
with a slightly stronger and longer, salty aftertaste.

Paul Tristram is a widely published Welsh writer who deals in the Lowlife, Outsider, and Outlaw genres.  He wrote his first poem as a teenager following his release from the (Infamous) Borstal ‘HMP Portland’, and he has been creating Literary Terrorism ever since.  His novel ‘Crazy Like Emotion’ is available to purchase right here . Also his collection of shorter fiction Kicking Back Drunk ‘Round The Candletree Graves' is available to purchase at https://bookgoodies.com/a/B0DFMTSR4F Both books are published by Close To The Bone Publishing. Read other articles by Paul, or visit Paul's website.