monday morning.

when you wake up with chainsaws at your head

it is an omen - it means that the morning is cruel

with the leftover rage stowed from last night.

it is a chainsaw - it is the jagged teeth

of the words he chooses, incessantly cycling

through your skin. relentless batteries like

a hail mary without confession or penance.

because it happens so often you'd think

he'd sinned. but yes. but no.

for it is his pattern to be

your father. so wake up.

wake up.

wake up.

---

First published in Mosaic Literature.