three poems
by Jason Melvin
The simulation
the plane takes off
from Pittsburgh International
within minutes
the land below
is a grid of fields
separated by swaths of trees
and I remember
this overcrowded earth
still has
more trees
than people
as we descend
into Midway – Chicago
row after row
of pitched rooftops
as far as the eyes can see
separated by freeways
and rail systems
and I remember
there’s still
too many fucking people
a couple hundred feet
up
still many miles
from the runway
I spot a bright pink shirt
atop a bicycle
on a bike path
40 mins later
after picking up the rental car
and leaving the parking garage
I see a bike path
and spot a bright pink shirt
atop a bicycle
I kid you not
no doubt in my mind
the same bicyclist
zooming by
who couldn’t possibly
be here
and I remember
the trees and people
don’t really matter
it’s all
a simulation
The simulation II
rain spots the windshield
wipers smearing bugs
caught and smashed
on the long highway drive
orange glow of the sun setting
lighting up the back windshield
but no drops
travel south on that glass
no moisture at all
I ask my daughter in the back seat
to verify what I’m seeing
in the rearview mirror
She confirms
completely dry
then I noticed the road
through the fat water that smacks
as the wipers sway at pace
The road also dry
No splashing drops
No puddles formed
No spray off other’s tires
I make eye contact with my daughter
through the mirror
she nods and mouths one word
glitch
The simulation III
it’s easy
on long road trips
to question
the universe
I put it out to my son
28 and behind the wheel
how all the trees
on these West Virginia mountains
grow to the same height
that few and far between
do you see any
reach beyond the framework
Proof
of the simulation
He laughs and ponders
truth is
those trees
are at war
each reaching up
as the one beside
throws shade
the entire forest
fighting
for every fraction
of light
Photo of Jason Melvin
BIO: Jason Melvin received a gimmicky T-shirt from his teenage daughter on Christmas with a picture of one large fist fist-bumping a much smaller fist. The caption read, “Behind every smart-ass daughter is a truly asshole Dad”. It fit.
His work has appeared in Roi Faineant, The Beatnik Cowboy, Mad Swirl, Olney, Punk Noir, Rat’s Ass Review and others. His poems were nominated for Pushcarts by Bullshit Lit and Outcast. His first chapbook, Wrong Things, is available courtesy of Bullshit Lit. His second book, Brother, will soon be published by Anxiety Press. He can be found on X @Jason5Melvin, Instagram @JasonMelvin5 and on his website at www.jasonmelvinwords.weebly.com.