Pepperoni. You asked about Nether
odors, right? The Nether smells like pizza.
That's not what Notch hoped to evoke, neither
is it universal as a reason
to visit Hell, but I'm sentimental.
Zombie Pigmen who move like teen waiters,
lava bubbling like cheese. Netherrack all
gummed flat, the pattern so awesome 80s.
The low red light brings back those years before
driving permits, couples' dances, back seats.
Those last few family pizza nights a chore:
uncool to hang with Mom and Dad, the freaks.
Pinball and video arcades, refills,
bowling, jukebox, blue-collar childhood thrills.
Marta Ferguson is the co-editor of Drawn to Marvel: Poems from the Comic Books (Minor Arcana Press, 2014) and the author of Mustang Sally Pays Her Debt to Wilson Pickett (Main Street Rag, 2005). This poem comes from her new Minecraft-themed manuscript. She is the sole proprietor of Wordhound Writing & Editing Services, LLC.
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John Lowther
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Marta Ferguson
The Nether as Pizza Parlor
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