Peter F. Crowley is an independent writer and scholar with a M.S. in Conflict Resolution, Global Studies from Northeastern University. His writings can be found in Boston Literary Magazine, Mint Press News, (several publications in) Wilderness House Literary Review, 34th Parallel Magazine, Counterpunch, Foreign Policy Journal, Work Literary Magazine, Znet, Opiate Magazine, Truthout, Green Fuse Press, Antiwar.com, Peace Review (forthcoming), Mondoweiss, Visitant and several others. His poetry book Those who hold up the earth is scheduled for publication by Kelsay Books in the first half of 2020.

Fear

An oblique opera has conditioned fear

The Second Ypres gas mask will protect you from dust
MADD have been sent loose upon open bottles in cars,
neglecting predatory lending and resultant foreclosure
Weather gods elicit nightly apocalypses
Inner cities are the hell you’re thankful you don’t live near

One thing that is sure – the many headed Hydra
will keep you supplicating in purple daze,
where you need to buy, watch, buy
to ward off the scathing elements

And to listen to the Hydra nightly,
amygdale gone wild,
And the rest of the brain –
as empty as a winter Cape cottage.