COVID Summer: Against Dystopia

Marissa Lingen

They ask her if this is the end,

Armageddon, Ragnarok—is Jesus

Going to come sort this. Can it get

Worse. Winston Smith knew

Dystopia is not drama but grind,

The constant scrape of fear.

We’ve tried dramatic speeches

(Appalling, sublime); it’s time

To get on with the slow business

Of building, growing from seed,

Rejecting the martyr for the maker.

—July 31, 2020

Author: Marissa Lingen

Marissa Lingen is a freelance writer living in the suburbs of Minneapolis with two large men and one small dog. Mostly she writes speculative fiction. She has a large collection of foliage-themed jewelry. View all posts by Marissa Lingen