Prepare for pressure

pressure on independence
amid fresh machinations
sustained and serious

carry a knife dipped in violence
relied upon, whilst the government fails
cold temperatures and votes ongoing

warnings issued
a bloody snap
prepare for legislation

-- Samuel Goward

Brexit: Labour MPs and TUC push back against No 10 bid
London gang speaks of violence in the capital
UK weather: Amber snow warning issue

A Late Phase

the repeating bursts were recorded
small flecks of blue radio
found from the mouth of an ancient whale

a chime's skeleton in lapis lazuli
a telescope's oceans feasting on her light
this mouth questions stones with religious intensity

advances the picture, gold as the small fish
buried in pigment
staining the books with unexplained signal

-- Glenn R. Frantz

Medieval skeleton found with rare, expensive blue ink embedded in teeth, could rewrite women's history
Scientists Discover The Remains of a Whale Inside a Bigger, Ancient Whale
Mysterious 'repeater' fast radio burst detected from faraway galaxy

Answer Values Divide

these briefings, day month, can end quickly
press secretary, erupt knowing laughs and groans
sacrosanct was, questions innermost accountability

wider political divide space race environmental degradation
bipartisanship dwindles to see what we never expected
more continuous spectrum political surprises polarised

after struggles and divisions how to disagree well
a spirit of openness what it means to be together
aim for common unity and peace vision values commitment

-- Clark Allison

The demise of the daily White House press briefing
Archbishop Justin Welby calls for 'spirit of openness' in 2019
Charts of the year: from polarised politics to damaging pollution