The Poetry of
Michael G. Khmelnitsky

With apologies to Full Metal Jacket by Stanley Kubrick.

This is my pen.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My pen is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it, as I must master my life.

Without me, my pen is useless.
Without my pen, I am useless.

I must write my pen true.
I must write queerer than my enemy who is trying to kill me.

I must write him before he writes me.
I will.

Before you I swear this creed.
My pen and myself are defenders of my country.

We are the masters of our enemy.
We are the saviours of my life.

So be it.
Until there is no enemy, but peace.

Amen.