Absurdity

By Bryan Damien Nichols

PROMPT — Despite ...

I’ll take Manhattan in a garbage bag

with Latin written on it that says:

It’s hard to give a shit these days.

—Lou Reed

Romeo Had Juliette

Listen carefully:

have you ever been told to say—

and to explain in depth—

you took no action, whether now

or in the past, when you know

you took no action, and those who know

you understand you never took action,

but wish you to explain the matter

in depth?

Is this not a description that cannot be known

until the description is told?

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Bryan Damien Nichols was born in Houma, Louisiana, on August 30, 1978. He earned a B.A., summa cum laude, in Philosophy from Baylor University, and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He has practiced law both in Houston and in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Bryan currently lives in Los Fresnos, Texas, with his loving wife, Michelle. Bryan is perhaps best known for the poetry he writes through his two heteronyms: (1) Kjell Nykvist and (2) Alexander Shacklebury. These two heteronyms were featured in Bryan’s debut poetry collection, Whispers From Within (Sarah Book Publishing, 2015). In addition to his many individual publications, Bryan has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. In the new collection of poems he is writing, Bryan writes in his own name and explores numerous themes and issues that are important to him personally.