2023 Multigenre Mashup Flash Fiction Smackdown

The Law Keepers' Lament (a song cycle in three parts)

(Peacemaker)

For me it's Ka-Pow! Blam! Zap! Ker-Splat!

Noise and nose-breaking,

Fists and name-taking,

Blood! Bile! Beat-downs and Rat-a-tat-tat!

(Armageddonna)

I started out as a girl so svelte and so sweet,

A heroine your mothers would love to meet,

But the backers and artists, they had other plans,

Now my bust is as wide as a condor's wingspan!

(Rainn Boa)

I'm the Pan POC non-binary token of diversity,

I have everything a hero needs to represent humanity,

It's true in every issue I will change my disability,

Because I am the non-binary token of diversity

(All Three)

We're the trio that you call upon,

Whenever things look dark,

When evil villains make your lives

Nasty strollings through the park.

You never ask politely,

For us to save the day.

When we're done,

do you thank us?

(Peacemaker)

Oh, No!

(Armageddonna)

Hell, No!

(Rainn Boa)

Nay! Nay!

(Peacemaker)

My legendary diplomacy

Is boring, I'm told.

It's passé and old -

Negotiation? Boring, you see.

So says Headquarters and they know best!

Blood, guts and actions,

The main attractions,

Get more 'likes' than just words and largesse.

(Armageddonna)

My skimpy wimpy armor is spandex and not steel,

Forget my battle skills, my breasts bring foes to heel!

My skill in strategy, teenagers don't want to see -

Only nipples, big guns and my double-D's.

Exhausted, exploited, exasperated too!

My heart aches and breaks – what's a Super to do?

I have bills to pay, and yet every single day,

I up and away to save the likes of you.

(Rainn Boa)

I am tired of explaining all my pronouns and my personas,

My preferences, our differences, my POVs or my coronas,

I read you like a newspaper, I'm like a Wikipedia,

I know everything that you've posted on all social media!

But the writers want me just to blabber comical relief, you see -

So, I stay out of the way instead of taking out the big baddy.

To be sidelined and ignored- it just makes no common sense to me,

When my words are razor sharp lasers that can make you fricassee

(All Three)

There are some days you just berate us,

Nothing that we do is right –

You know – We'd love a brief hiatus!

A Spa Day? A Singles Night?

And this is for the record,

Cause we save the world each day –

Are we thanked for our service?

(Peacemaker)

Not now!

(Armageddonna)

Maybe...

(Rainn Boa)

Some day?