A Lesson at the School for Suicide Bombers
The students looking zealous,
the teacher looking stern,
he says, “This lesson, fellas,
is a vital one to learn.
This bomb attached to me
is one of our grandest stunts.
Now listen carefully.
I’ll only say this once.”
Martin Elster is a composer and serves as percussionist for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. His poetry has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies. He is co-winner of the 2016 RhymeZone Poetry prize and the winner of the 2014 Thomas Gray Anniversary Poetry Competition. Other prizes include 3rd place in the 2015 SFPA Poetry Contest (long poem category) and 2nd place in its 2010 Ekphrasis competition. He has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.