“Piano, on its Role in Judas Priest’s “Epitaph” by Daniel M. Shapiro

This is the movie
the part in the movie
where the star basketball player gets hurt
and most of the others have fouled out
so the snotty kid
who annoys everyone
but deep down inside
is really an enlightened asshole
he comes out of the stands
borrows a uniform
that’s two sizes too big
and you know what he does
and that’s me here
that’s me on this song
no guitars
just me
and voice
but really
just me


Daniel M. Shapiro is the author of several poetry books and chapbooks, including How the Potato Chip Was Invented, Heavy Metal Fairy Tales, and The Orange Menace. He is a special education teacher who lives in Pittsburgh.