CODE-SWITCHING

by Daniel Romo

Art by Clay Jones

And the congregation fell to their knees, 
praying for their savior to supply them with 

All-American manna and a fiery plague on 
their snowflake neighbors where brimstone 

reigns down on their households because 
we are to honor thy mother and forefathers. 

And the pastor calls for the parishioners 
to regain strength like Sampson because, 

Empathy is the new Delilah and no one is 

shaving my locks or taking away my Glocks! 

The second commandment forbids idol 

worship, but the second amendment’s 

exempt in the Patriot’s New Abridged Version

Bible. And the choir rejoices in celebration of 

flag and faith because sacrilege doesn’t apply 

to those proudly waving stars and stripes. And 

Eve was created during Adam’s deep sleep 

so it’s no wonder woke is synonymous with 

nightmare. And here we are, my brethren, 
attempting to love and expel our neighbor 

from this country, deporting the sinners 
from the sanctuary, building walls higher

than Jericho’s.

Daniel Romo's latest book is American Manscape (Moon Tide Press 2026).

INAUGURATION DAY 2025, THE PELICANS ARRIVE

by Catherine Arra

White grace floats the lake, rippling in icy torrents

of another Trump tirade.

 

A stopover in migration, a congregation

of reacquaintance-feeding-reuniting in purpose.

 

They paddle in silent choreography, know nothing

of deportations, hate-vengeance-greed.

 

Know to stay clear of marsh grass, where alligators

nest-hunt-eat more than needed.

 

Their long-bowed faces remember loss—how easy

to destroy a nest than to build one.

 

They glide into flight formation. Broad webbed feet

flapflapflap in domino percussion.

 

Snowy wings underscore the black of mourning.

They fly away. 

Catherine Arra is a native of the Hudson Valley in upstate New York, where she lives with wildlife and changing seasons until winter, when she migrates to the Space Coast of Florida. Arra teaches part-time and facilitates local writing groups. She is the author of four full-length collections and four chapbooks. Recent work appears in Unleash Lit., Eclectica Magazine, LitBreak Magazine, Poem Alone, and The Ekphrastic Review.