by nuclear night
they bred them for food
“roach paste tastes great”
“roach paste tastes great”
children sang the jingle
adults shuddered
adults shuddered
and tended vast vats – wriggling,
but then they realized
too late they realized
the roaches had become
sentient
(This poem first appeared in Scifaikuest, May 2012.)
Lauren McBride finds inspiration in faith, family, nature, science and membership in the SFPA. Nominated for the Best of the Net, Rhysling and Dwarf Stars Awards, her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in dozens of publications including Asimov’s, Abyss & Apex and Fantasy & Science Fiction. She enjoys swimming, gardening, baking, reading, writing and knitting scarves for troops.
Published 10/15/19