The July Editor's Pick Poet is Denny E. Marshall

Please feel free to email Denny at: wtdwg@hotmail.com

STATE OF ZOMBIES

Zombies have taken control of the state.
None can leave, checkpoints at every road.
Plan to escape before it is too late.
Pack small backpack, easier with light load.

Stay off the roads, to avoid being found.
Hide behind trees or lay in the tall grass.
If detecting the slightest move or sound.
Wait patiently for vehicles to pass.

Near end of slow journey measured in weeks.
See border-crossing marker up ahead.
Zombies patrol fields and the shallow creeks.
If caught not questioned, instead wind up dead.

Once in a different state, sigh of relief.
Learn zombies now here, instantly feel grief.

TANKA

After all this time
She thought she met the right man
Lucky in her mind
To find a nice single guy
He only sees her only at night

Aliens arrive
Goal is to feast on humans
Most are on diet
Eating only one or two
Hundred thousand at a time

CLANDESTINE DWELLING

Clandestine dwelling home of long undead.
Obscure castle sits upon barren hill.
When passing by gave travelers a chill.
Until out of sight, feel linger of dread.

Journey on silently and quietly thread.
Look forward to narrow road up ahead.
All who look upon structure feel cold chill.
Obscure castle sits upon barren hill.

After one passage, nightmares haunt the head.
Legends in nearby town, occupants kill.
Drink all the blood they murderously spill.
Once a shortcut all take long route instead.
Clandestine dwelling home of long undead.

CAMP ZOMBIE

I walked upon a campsite of zombies
Am hoping that they did not notice me
While lost in one the many grass prairies
I walked upon a campsite of zombies
Then appear some jet fighters on sorties
I run for cover behind a large tree
I walked upon a campsite of zombies
Am hoping that they did not notice me

Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published. Some recent credits include cover art at Perihelion SF October 12th issue, interior art in Night To Dawn #24 and Dreams & Nightmares 96, poetry and interior art in Stinkwaves, and fiction in A Dark World Of Spirits & The Fey (A Zombie Works Publications). He does have a website with previously published works at www.dennymarshall.com.