CONTINUING EDUCATION

To keep their licenses, supernatural beings

Have to occasionally take classes
Intended to keep them informed
On recent developments in theurgy.
Seated alphabetically, Abaddon,
The angel of the abyss, sits by Abiala,
An African goddess who carries a pistol.
Next to her -- perhaps -- is invisible Alif

And so on, until Zzzaxx, who isn't’real.

Knowing this has made him bitter

As has his certain sense that even if

He were to cross the illimitable distance

Of the lecture room, crossing the bridge,

Leaping the chasm, evading

The Concupiscent Bees and surviving

The Hopscotch Game of Eternal Doom,

Abiala still would have no truck with him.