Art: Back View by Alexander Chubar
NOTHING UNUSUAL
A new study was issued on Tuesday
on the institutionalization
of cruel and unusual punishment,
and fake news, hatred, and stupidity
which concluded what some leaders went through
as middle school students imbued miscues
in how large groups of human beings behave,
miscues due to continue for us all
but for a few lucky communities.
But for a few lucky communities
unless some new more conclusive studies
uncover other truths nobody knew,
we’ll still be reduced to brutal feuding
to see Andy Warhol—for all we know—
as having shown there’s no absolute truth
past cans of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup
for feeding and renewing U.S. troops
we find our spines in neutral positions
as we continue using beautiful
costume jewelry euphemistically
but nothing we do is value-neutral
once we allow absolute rules to rule
in the absence of a basis in truth.
In the absence of a basis in truth
before avenues misconstrued lead back
to useless middle school remnants in us
or Anderson Cooper’s newsroom humor
undo my adieu—as I am askew
anew—owing you another study
since the one from Tuesday was just undone.
About the author:
The poetry of Peter Arvan Manos has been published in Yellow Chair Review, Eunoia Review, Modern Poetry Quarterly Review, The New York Times, Atlanta Review, Provo Canyon Review, Avocet Poetry Journal, Parody Poetry Journal, Prolific Press, and the Elohi Gaduji Journal, among others.
Peter has written two poetry chapbooks, Walt Whitman’s Wolves, and Myriads. He also authors a monthly column on renewable sources of electricity in Transmission & Distribution World Magazine.
Peter grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, by shores that were beautiful or horrid depending on the tides, the wind, and whether or not you were looking toward or away from the sewage plant or garbage dump. He remains happily confused about the distinctions we make between nature and technology.
Art: Back View by Alexander Chubar
In the artist’s words:
Alexander Chubar holds a BFA from Hunter College and a MFA from the Pratt Institute. His work has previously been published in the William & Mary Review, Blue Lyra Review, Subprimal Poetry Art, The Tishman Review, and several other publications. More of his artwork can be seen at http://www.