Nathan J.D.L.- A Poem

^Continue?

 ^{I'm putting my money where my mouth is - a slot for consumption and a thrill in return.}

^{Hands slip around the joystick and clasp it tight – like a warrior parading his stiff manhood before the enemy to shake their confidence, rattle them like this coin box.}

^{The L.E.D's forming the display burst into life – forming characters made of red and blue and green flashing squares.}

^Boom!

^{Game on bitches!}

^{Rule the kingdom? Topple the emperor? Save the little mushroom people?}

^{Child's play for me.}

^{I'm the adult-grown version of the kid that once played with glee. I have experience on my side now.}

^{Prepare to die you fascist dictator, you communist bully – cowering behind your tanks, police-state soldiers hiding beneath your shields.}

^{Daddy's home!}

^{The game begins. Lives are gained... and taken.}

^{A few minutes pass and my game is over – bravado defeated and pockets left empty.}

^Continue?

^{Feeling sorry for myself I wonder if that should not have been an option when I openly and happily strolled in to the arcade to begin with.}

About: Nathan J.D.L. Rowark

Nathan J.D.L. Rowark is a poet and horror novelist from London, England.

His works include over fifty poems and stories published in various e-zines, anthologies, and magazines since his return as a storyteller in 2010.

He is the founder of Horrified Press (horrifiedpress.wordpress.com), and hopes to help publicise some of the great new stars working in modern horror today.