the gospel

by Steve Maitlen

if i was jesus fucking christ, i’d tell dad to take church attendance in june

no mercy for the easter/christmas crusaders checking boxes and recharging phones for thoughts, prayers, and not so closeted hard r’s

look at me! look at me! they say without so much as saying so -

i’m jesus fucking christ; i’m the reason for the season.

no mercy for newly anointed grandmas nodding along, nodding off, clutching pearls and pocketbooks, acting holier than thou as though they didn’t get finger-blasted in the backseats of second-hand chevys and fords like their mothers and mothers’ mothers before.

if i was jesus fucking christ, i’d vacate titles for the ‘16 cubbies (sorry, nick) and 45 (package deal, buddy).

no mercy for those pretending to use euphemisms, internal, inwardly eschewing touchy language and jesus fucking christ,

i’d certainly take my time coming back.

Photo of Steve Maitlen

BIO: Steve Maitlen resides in Indiana.