Poetry by Mathew Gostelow

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Intimations of Mortality from Crustaceans and an Only Child

The news is on but we don’t watch –
Eyes averted from the blooded
Horses running on apocalyptic streets.

Our daughter canters, joyous, through the door –
Her “did you know” a welcome
Interruption in a world of raging fire.

“Lobsters are immortal.
“Disease and age won’t claim those gnarly decapods,
“In the end, exhaustion’s why they die.” 

She holds her breath and waits
For our reaction to this fascinating pearl.
But all I think is: Me too lobster, me too.

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Mathew Gostelow (he/him) is a writer, living in Birmingham, UK. Some days he wakes early and scribbles strange tales. If you catch him staring into space, he is either thinking about Twin Peaks or cooked breakfasts. Mat has written two books: a collection of speculative stories entitled See My Breath Dance Ghostly (Alien Buddha Press) and Dantalion is a Quiet Place, a novella-in-flash to be released in 2025 (DarkWinter Lit). He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best Microfiction. @MatGost. Website.