The Pandemic: A Memoir
By Rene Mullen
I learned, over time, I
control almost nothing
of what keeps me alive
find yourself
unable to protect
what was built to save
the hoards of nothing
we hold so close
No Such Thing As Vampires
By Rene Mullen
When the last woman, man, and child
is safe
One politician screams
This garlic saved us from vampires! See, no monsters!
The other cries
We were lied to by scientists! See, no monsters!
The herd nods at both
smiling three piece suits
tithe themselves into poverty
and shower placating mouths
with lavish wealth
Rene Mullen is managing editor for a PR firm in Albuquerque, performance and traditional poet, and author of the full-length poetry collection This Still Breathing Canvas. His poetry has been featured in Poetry Quarterly, 50 Haikus, and the Santa Fe Literary Review.