Death is a Soldier

by Ron Kolm

What he really is
Is a middle-aged guy
Wearing a MAGA cap
Who collects tons of books
On military history and dreams
What the World would be like
If Hitler had won the war.

He sits in a neighborhood bar
Knocking back vodka tonics
Watching TV.
Every time he looks up
At the screen
Something happens:
Leon Musk attacks Social Security
Trump opens his mouth.

Death nods knowingly
And continues to drink
As these disasters occur
In real time.

Even as he stares
At his now empty glass
And wonders whether
He should order another,
His mind is skimming
Over a list of the living
And whenever it stops
On a name that person
Gets picked up by ICE
And is instantly deported.

This is hard work, he thinks,
Yes, I’ll have one more–
I’ve earned it!