Back Issue Bin

Thrown into the back issue bin
behind a Batman spinoff
and some disgruntled 90’s hero
with his oversized shoulder pads
and complete lack of feet.
I lay in limbo,
waiting to be picked back up.

My art was old
or maybe just not good.
Pencils too sketchy.
Colors flat.
Didn’t pop,
not catching the eye
in the right way.
Trace over the lines,
searching for where it went wrong.

My story was boring.
I should know,
I lived it.
guided it.
The words didn’t break barriers,
didn’t come off the page
tear through reader’s defenses
and make their heart swell.
Just laid flat on the page,
waiting to be lazily turned.

There is no escape from this.
I have no utility belt.
No power ring.
Chanting,
Shazam
Kimota
Shazam
Kimota.
There is no magic word
to turn into a god.