The anthology of poetry written by yours truly, S.E. Bess

  The bleating of my alarm awakes me from my peaceful slumber. I wake up, and take my state mandated vitamin supplement, before the retinal scanner above my bed can register me being awake. And start its bleating alarm. Which happens anytime, I deviate outside the allotted time. Warning! Warning! Subject-1073-9 has not followed ample instruction. Series -97 [Unpatriotic Endeavors] will activate in: 15...14...13...12… I put on my blue hemp-fiber jumpsuit with the orange letters, “Citizen-1073-9” plastered on the back. I sit on the edge of my state mandated cot sized 2,3m single [man] barely thinking about tying my worn out boots. Because today is the day. I work at a factory, which produces protein bars for the ration packs we are given for our expertly calculated, state-allotted caloric intake. What we do is; farm locusts on a massive scale. We take their larvae and mash it into a paste, and then we form it into various rectangular forms. Again based on your allot...

  Someone yelled,”Hey Charles!” as I was closing the door to my locker. Having just finished, maneuvering my books around, and stuffing my bag with the books I would need for the 3 classes after lunch. My hand was clutching the green tea can with the false bottom. I was pawing it, almost like a religious relic. To afraid to let go of it, and with the unease from having it at school, faltering only when I was touching it. My buddy Tim yelling to grab my attention so we could walk to lunch together. As we did every day. Brought me from my fear induced stupor. “Hey Tim whats up?” “Not much, why you nervous gaylord?” He said slamming my locker door. “Fuck off man I’m fine. I drank too much coffee this morning.” “Oh ok, you seen what Darlene was wearing today?” He said, with a goofy grin tearing at the edges of his face. “No.” “Oh man, she had white pants on, and you could see her underwear underneath them dude. Holy shit!” “Oh cool, maybe we’ll see her at l...