Apocalyptic Date Idea #17

a poem by Julián Martinez

Many people say Julián Martinez is a counterweight to the “being a poet is embarrassing” pull. Today, Little Engines will join the chorus. Find a new one from his romantic series below.

Paired with Julián’s poem is an original collage from Ryan Evans, who begins his reign today as the magazine’s new Artist in Residence. His first piece came in A+ from a cold start, so I’m psyched on what’s to come with Ryan.

Next up: some fiction, I promise!

🖤AV

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Apocalyptic Date Idea #17
by Julián Martinez

What if we kissed in the governor of North Dakota’s office
behind the mural of Phil Jackson, five eras of Phil
smiling down upon us, gray-haired Sacred Hoops Phil in the center,
mellow and resolute in his gray suit like God though I’m sure
he’d resent that comparison, scoffing while cleaning his thirteen
championship rings, chuckling, cracking his knuckles—
let’s kiss with our hands at our hips, pushing our blazers back
and showing our suspenders and belt buckles, kiss me
like it’s game six and the Bulls are the best on the paint again,
Chicago’s red neon heart may crumble into the underworld
but all that matters is how effortlessly we slide as one—
kiss me by the water cooler so Dennis Rodman freaky that
the governor’s secretary can say nothing, kiss me wet and sloppy—
the confetti’s coming down—let’s bathe each other in Gatorade,
be banned from North Dakota and get a hero’s homecoming in Chicago.

Julián Martinez is the son of Mexican and Cuban immigrants and is from Waukegan, IL. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in HAD, Hooligan Mag, Maudlin House, and elsewhere. His debut chapbook, This Place Is Covered Head To Toe In Shit, is out Summer 2024 with Ghost City Press. Find him online @ martinezfjulian, martinezfjulian.com, or IRL in Chicago.

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