RYAN QUINN FLANAGAN

 

Epsteining The Cat

The cat needs an escort

to both the food bowl 

and the box.

When we leave suddenly,

it looks back.

“Am I getting Epsteined?

You guys are mean!”

I say in that silly voice we use

when trying to talk like the cat.

“Just walking away and leaving me here!”

“Aww!”

she runs over to pick up 

the cat and give it deep pets.

“You’re not being Epsteined,

you’re far too cute for that!”

she tries to be assuring.

Again, in that silly voice.

The cat sits cradled and crazed eyed,

looking for a way out.

Wondering why the humans 

have to keep making up all these ridiculous stories 

that have nothing to do with you.

 

Snot

The snot

in my nose

wants to wish you

a good morning.

Be sure 

to wave when we

pass in the street.

I'll be the one

blowing into a tissue.

Walking over Thunderbirds

of pure electric.

RYAN QUINN FLANAGAN

RYAN QUINN FLANAGAN is a Canadian-born author residing in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada with his wife and many bears that rifle through his garbage.  His work can be found both in print and online in such places as: Evergreen Review, The New York Quarterly, Our Poetry Archive, Setu, Literary Yard, and The Oklahoma Review.