Life in a Microwave Metropolis

Life in a Microwave Metropolis

In a microwave metropolis 

rubbery steaks advertised as rare and succulent

are served sizzled to well-done—

Misrepresenting menus,

they are forked into mouths 

watering for Grade A meat.

Flesh heavily spiced, 

hastily mixed

to mask the rot with flavors straining to entice— 

Prepped for consumers— 

heaved into trash cans

to be scarfed by the starved and street rats. 

Our home isn’t a city— 

It’s a butchery 

of prime cuts burnt by amateur cooks— 

cookie-cuttered

into contorted shapes,

slammed onto trays and expected to be joyfully digested.

Biography: Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael Roque discovered his passion for poetry and prose while studying at Pasadena City College. Now residing in the Middle East, he draws inspiration from the bustling, tumultuous life around him. His work has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies worldwide, including award-winning publications such as North Dakota Quarterly, The Queen’s Review, The Roanoke Rambler, Poetry Super Highway, and many others.

Image: Unsplash, downloaded (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-refrigerator-with-a-microwave-on-top-of-it-pekSK_lfOb4) 26. 1. 2026.

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