unspilled milk

by Philip Venzke

What is it about

empty milk cartons

that you don’t like?

They can be used again.

I can stockpile them

in my secret closet.

Saved, for that day

in the ideal future,

when I have the time.

And in that perfect moment

I’ll build an elevator

from the hoarded cartons.

When it is complete,

I’ll drop the door key

down the shaft.

That will force them

to take the stairs,

because no one

with a failed nose

will dismantle those cartons.

I can change the past.

*Originally published at The Argyle Literary Magazine.

Photo of Philip Venzke

BIO: Philip Venzke grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin.  His poetry is widely published in magazines throughout the U.S. and Europe.  His chapbook “Chant to Save the World” was a winner of The James Tate International 2021 Poetry Prize (published July 2022 by SurVision Books, Ireland).  His poems also appear in “Contemporary Surrealist and Magical Realist Poetry (an International Anthology)” edited by Jonas Zdanys, Lamar University Press, 2022.  His second chapbook “Rules to Change the World” was published by Finishing Line Press in November 2023.  His third chapbook "The Chronicles of Little Zero" was published in August 2024 by Alien Buddha Press.  His fourth chapbook "Song of the Empty Hand" is anticipated to be published in April 2025 by Anxiety Press.  And his fifth chapbook "Abandoned Barn" is anticipated to be published by Kelsay Books in June 2025.