The Zombies are Loose

C. Renee Kiser

                   Just woke up from a nightmare

                   feeling nostalgic

I miss the old bars, the shit-talking;

a guy ranting that he could beat me

at a game of pool, or anything

at all,

a gal trying to get under my skin

by giving me the stink eye while

whispering

or by tossing me her sympathetic

suckass-smile

Barflys used to rumble with grit

and now we have

Tip-toe Joe

You are fading from my memory now

I’ve commanded this, yes

And that very day, I ripped up and deleted

any trail of you that could lead me back,

because that version of you didn’t really

exist and I knew it

I’m impulsive- I love it;

You love it, Fuck You,

You know you love it

But I’m reminded of you, those

nightmare nights and I wish

I had kept just one picture

because I miss playing darts

I can’t even refresh my memory

as you’re a ghost online

and don’t have any social media,

as yourself –

King of the cowards

Cowards have no place here

anymore, show yourself!

Show up! For fuck’s sake,

the zombies are loose.