After the Piper
by David Wasserman
I am what comes after the Piper.
I am the beanstalk carcass, a giant rotting in the yard. I am
dead wolves and witches and abandoned candy cabins in the wood.
I am the sticks and straw left on the road and a sea foam sacrifice. I am
the one thousand and second night.
I am the Earth, danced to death in hot iron shoes. I am
abandoned poems left crying in cages.
I am happily ever after.
I am living happily until there comes the One who Destroys all Happiness. I am
good days and bad days. I am dying together on the same day.
I am broken
promises to a generation.
I am the beanstalk carcass, a giant rotting in the yard. I am
dead wolves and witches and abandoned candy cabins in the wood.
I am the sticks and straw left on the road and a sea foam sacrifice. I am
the one thousand and second night.
I am the Earth, danced to death in hot iron shoes. I am
abandoned poems left crying in cages.
I am happily ever after.
I am living happily until there comes the One who Destroys all Happiness. I am
good days and bad days. I am dying together on the same day.
I am broken
promises to a generation.
David Wasserman (he/him) is the author of Tiny Footcrunch (Unsolicited Press, 2018) and Dealing: Tarot Poems and Pictures (Unsolicited Press, 2019)––the latter in collaboration with Project Runway's Helen Castillo (art) and in support of NYC non-profit, Literacy, Inc. His work has appeared in 8 Poems Journal, Plum Recruit Mag, and Wine Cellar Press, among others. David is editor-in-chief of Second Chance Lit, teaches elementary school, and lives in Connecticut. Find him online at davidwassermanbooks.com or @davidwasserman1.