Aphelion Issue 301, Volume 28
December 2024 / January 2025
 
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Frankenstein

by Clinton Van Inman


Color coded complete with picture I.D.
We'll teach you to be like us.
Give you a turtle neck or bow tie
We'll make you our kind of Mensch
We'll give you a new brain,
It really doesn't matter whose
for they are all just the same,
Complete with certificate of authenticity
Credit rating and charge account,
Security, savings, and even disability.
We'll teach you how to walk and talk
In circles as if you had some sense.
We will give you some brand named shoes
We will even call you Frank or Frankie
But why are you still reaching for
Flowers?


© 2012 Clinton Van Inman

Clinton Van Inman is 65, was born in Walton-on-Thames, England, and graduated from San Diego State University in 1977 with a degree in philosophy. (Don't laugh, so did TS Eliot) He still works as a high school teacher in Tampa. One of the few last standing Beat poets, he is trying to get a collection of poems together for future publication called, "Far From Out" or "One Last Beat." Recent publications include the Tower Journal, Essence, The Warwick, Journal of Victorian Poetry, Yes Poetry, Poetry, Out of Four, and Black Cat Poetry. Some of his poems have been recently read on YouTube by Janet K. of Down in the Dirt magazine, which publishes many of his poems.

Find more by Clinton Van Inman in the Author Index.

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