Deathmatch Mode

Originally published in Bat City Review.

 

First Ty killed Jay, killed Jack, killed Rick.

Next the dead three set a trap for Ty,

caught her in crossfire, gunned her under,

but Jay stabbed Jack in the back and scattered

Rick with a missile. Then Jack forced Rick

off the cliff from which he’d dropped a rock

onto Jay and rained grenades on Ty.

Rick popped back, beheaded Jack

with a battle ax, and picked up the body

to bludgeon Ty before he and Jay

chainsawed each other—a bloody tie.

Everyone murders and rises and dies,

and no one says or even knows

what life is like after they lose.

 

(originally published in Bat City Review)