National Broetry Month: For Mama Celeste

It’s time for our third and final featured poem from Broetry in honor of National Broetry (Poetry) Month.

So far, we’ve covered creation and intellectual sustenance. Now, it’s time for more practical concerns. Being a poet and college graduate in the 21st century, Brian McGackin has, understandably, written several poems about his abject poverty.

This week’s poem includes financial stress, hunger, and a coming-of-age story. All in a poem short enough to memorize and impress your friends… over pizza.

For Mama Celeste

From Broetry by Brian McGackin

As a Child

Mother cut tiny

slices for my small boy hands:

delicate pizza.

In College

Hold up. This whole time

you were only a dollar?

You cheap, frozen whore.

After College

Sorry about that.

Please take me back, Mama C.

I’m sick of ramen.

—

For more information on Broetry by Brian McGackin, visit the book’s offficial page. To chat with Brian, like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter.