What Rough Beast | Poem for December 17, 2019

Chad Parenteau
Timely Tankas from the Resistance, Reel 7

Mitch McConnell Jesus Tanka

In election year,
Mitch McConnell Jesus files
for seventh heaven,
the murderers and rapists
gather to him as if drawn.

Boris Johnson Jesus Tanka

For first miracle
Boris Johnson Jesus makes
New Jerusalem out
to sea, so far beyond reach,
it’s like he’s water walking.

Infowars Jesus Tanka

Infowars Jesus
has its own view of gospel
where giant crosses
also serve as lynching trees
after Deep State eucharist.

Matt Bevin Jesus Tanka

Matt Bevin Jesus
throws rapists and murders
out of the prisons
and back into the temples,
silver jingling at his side.

Chad Parenteau is the author of Patron Emeritus (FootHills Publishing, 2013). His work has appeared in Tell-Tale InklingsQueen Mob’s Tea HouseThe Skinny Poetry JournalIbbetson Street, and Wilderness House Literary Review. He serves as associate editor of Oddball Magazine. His second full-length collection, The Collapsed Bookshelf, is forthcoming.

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