Dan Coshnear's bio: "Daniel Coshnear lives in Guerneville with his wife and two children. He teaches at UC berkeley Extension and works nights in a group home in Cotati. He is author of a collection of short stories, Jobs & Other Preoccupations(Helicon Nine 2000) winner of the Bay Area Book Reviewers Association Award for Best Collection 2003. He is finishing a second collection of stories."
Revisiting the Land of Nod
the next generation falls asleep
in front of the set
as you and your stepfather did
dreaming the familiar dream
while Hollywood's newest renegade cop
is called into the captain's office
the captain this season is Black
or even Latina
but no matter her complexion
we can tell she is red in the face
the veins of her neck pulsing
against her blue collar
she calls the renegade cop
and you, your stepson, your father
"loose cannons"
she demands your badges, and yes,
slowly your guns you place on her desk
as she wags her head
frustration, sadness a hint of envy
because she knows
with your unorthodox methods
you, your stepfather, your son
have always been misunderstood
will always be vindicated
you are the law above the law
and you have hot girlfriends
who now and again
want you to explain yourselves
they wag their beautiful heads
frustration, sadness a hint of envy
because explaining yourselves
is not your style
and your style they can't resist
you, your stepson, your father
have been framed, punched, kicked and shot
but the camera keeps you front and center
and you won't be held down
especially not in your sleep
because this is America
or dubbed or subtitled
and you have a passion
for justice
