The only pipes he touches 

are those he tries to fix. 

When it’s time to go adventuring 

his brother is normally the first he picks. 

Mario stays so decent 

through evil koopas, ghosts, and other hassles. 

I wonder if he thinks it’s worth it 

when he hears his princess is in yet another castle. 

Elizabeth Hoyle is from southern West Virginia. Her fiction has been featured in Blind Corner Literary Magazine, 365 Tomorrows, and other places. Her poetry has been featured on What Rough Beast and Boned: A collection of skeletal writings. Find on Twitter @ERHoyle.