Patrick Schiefen
Jun 30, 2025
Patrick Schiefen (he/him) is an American writer who has lived over a decade abroad. His poetry often explores queer identity, including the political self, through its relationship with place and travel. His poetry has been published in Cathexis Northwest Press, Ample Remains, Zenith Lit Mag, Nymphs, High Shelf Press and From Whispers to Roars.
American boys necking
war into one another’s mouths
pop pop pop!
wet tongues teaching
duck & cover, even in
especially in
the gunfire strobe lights
of the gay club sanctuary
where bodies playact Life
for a night but on Death’s terms
like the first brick thrown
on a day like Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Old Glory!
Thank you, Lavender Scare!
Thank you, Gipper!
Sure, the boys’ll fashion their fingers
into horny muskets firing
into the back pockets
of each other’s Levi’s
& up each other’s bums,
but the climax is more apple blossom
than Western wildfire,more celebratory than ceremonial.
Thank you, holy ghosts of brick throwers!
Thank you, New Manifest Destiny!
Thank you, heavenly DJ!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!