Freeloader

The barnacle is socially challenged; it is a virus cell invasion.

The barnacle takes too long at the snack stand.

The barnacle is a solid paper doll. It stands idle, watches you when you think you’re alone.

The barnacle pays child support.

The barnacle is not a fast food nation, but it understands the needs of many.

The barnacle is scientifically unnamed at this Bristol conference
but the barnacle is telepathic, so it’s a work breakfast.

The barnacle is a scientist’s nightmare:
it grows tentacles from the lab’s largest pie graph,

beckons the FED to pose for TIME’s magazine’s cover:
rage is all you need to take that first step toward mob mentality

The barnacle takes a swig of whiskey,

opens

the earth.

back to issue

Jennifer MacBain-Stephens went to NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and now lives in Iowa where she likes to rock climb. She is the author of four full length poetry collections and twelve chapbooks. Recent work can be seen at or is forthcoming from The Pinch, Cleaver, Yalobusha Review, Zone 3, and Grist. She also hosts an indie reading series sponsored by the non-profit organization Iowa City Poetry called Today You Are Perfect. Find her online at http://jennifermacbainstephens.com.