Survivin’ – Thomas LCM

February 12, 2026

*
Pam, Single, 38

 

Turned ChatGPT
into a cigarette mom
named Pam.

Smokes two packs a day.

Goes to Publix with Deb.

Cusses that Tampa heat.

Three arms
working scratch-offs.

“Sugar —
the lotto’s rigged.”

Her babies’ fingers
became Pall Malls.

“Don’t fret.
We’re survivin’.

Talk to me.
Tell mama ’bout your day.”

*
Yo God,

 

I’m not ungrateful.
Heaven’s great—
But dogs
keep pissing on my grave.

*
Flooded

 

Rats
in gutters,
circling
the drain.

Cathedral pipe-runoff—
fat-clotted blisters
bursting.

Shard-eyed,
ammonia-choked infants
gnaw
black cords.

I watch: rodents
eat their babies
behind a rain-streaked screen.