Lesson Tore Dirt

tropical winds as it knocks out power to
remnants swept north roared up the state
tore down trees and power lines alike stretched drenching

looking more traditional default shutdown showdowns
monster two churned calm coordinating disaster
don't miss the signs could use a civics lesson

intelligence is not the success key determination to
never give up back on track dirt safe to so
in enough race places wheels maintain line

-- Clark Allison

Irma weakens to a tropical storm, batters Florida
Trump tamed by storms, but how long will it last?
I Learned That Intelligence Is Not The Key To Success

Best Radical Disaster

Good for him, pulling cyber security products
to the shock and ire of his own legislative party.
There were "too many unanswered questions".

A three-month extension of the debt ceiling
burned the people amid concerns that
the familiar source may be vulnerable.

We are living through a historic shift
a spokeswoman confirmed. The president
is an untrustworthy and unpredictable ally.

-- Rupert M Loydell

Ex-FEMA official: How to plan for 'radical resilience' to disaster
‘Trump betrays everyone’: President is unpredictable ally
Best Buy stops sale of Russia-based Kaspersky products

Category Elephant Storm

a steady flow of illegal aliens,
teeth-gnashing and surprised outrage,
calls to mind a familiar parable:

a scorpion trying to get across a river,
days ahead of an expected landfall
somewhere scary enough to raise the debt ceiling.

Unable to come to grips with the problems
corners of the Internet are stirring
persuaded by this water-tight logic.

-- Rupert M Loydell

Bannon: Catholic Church needs illegal aliens to fill churches
The Parable of the Scorpion and the Elephant
Hurricane Irma can't be a Category 6 storm

Nearly Ghostly Phase

since maybe before Vietnam, Korea intense long periods
critical phase coalition launch airpower operation
dense neighbourhoods unyielding defense of tactics

besieged breaking a nearly three-year blockade
backed militias a step closer last inch
had fired at targets near city important strategically

a ghostly pale blue almost transparent
flagging as egg-bearing off-limits for conservation
weirdness of crustacean pulled up in a trap

-- Clark Allison

Military Under Trump 'More Aggressive'
Syrian forces break long siege of eastern city
Ghostly,translucent lobster caught off Maine

On More Than One Plane

Angered by her refusal to come down harder
I feel her absence often. Welcoming
a few reflections from the past allows her to

directly engage with memory, loss, and
the notion that one’s understanding of the past,
can alter over time, loosen her grip on

an unwavering version of the past
and finally comprehend the present.
This never made much sense to me

-- Rupert M Loydell

Germany’s Merkel Moves to Address Diesel Emissions
Obama urged Trump to guard ‘democratic institutions’
Twin Peaks: The Return Defied Nostalgia

Being a Hip Dude

I had a dream and then turned on the lights.
A man rushed past into a massive fire.
I think I did it. I can’t believe this.

50,000 people were facing a murder charge.
Firefighters pulled out of the plumbing profession.
I think I did it. I can’t believe this.

Authorities are investigating death.
A toxicology report is pending.
I think I did it. I can’t believe this.

-- Rupert M Loydell

Aspiring Pastor Accused of Killing Wife Blames Medicine
Man dies after rushing into Burning Man flames
Mario is no longer a plumber

Flock Discussing Divisions

walk down the streets entrenched part of life
clan wealthy massive family-owned empire
developing future business desperately different divisions

cultural invasion deadly rampage by angry supporters
deeply spiritual to find himself wrong side not only
at a religious retreat mysterious flock hearings

would not elaborate vague responsibilities
circumstances of his departure temporary travel ban
months-long tenure discussing out of turn

-- Clark Allison

What does the jailing of its heir mean for Samsung?
Despite crime allegations, gurus inIndia hold sway
Controversial Trump adviser Gorka out of White House job

Just Nearly Darker

damaged the relationship, serious mistrust
not useful to just cut everything over one
vehemently denies any efforts retaliatory sanctions

rapid and nearly unequalled drop in the polls
at the head of a fledgling tenuous momentous victory
something of a centrist, giving both left and right

represent changes and shifts in certain areas of our lives
slightly visible as a penumbral eclipse
symbolic of turning a page, the darker eclipse not visible

-- Clark Allison

Tillerson warns of US-Russian 'serious mistrust'
Macron’s Honeymoon Comes to a Halt
Lunar Eclipse In Aquarius

Tests of Discontent

Friday on "Culture Countdown": I can hardly check Twitter
without seeing a beloved new word.
It's a mild twist on the blindingly obvious!

"I can continue to do without pneumonia," he continued,
during a rain-drenched performance.
Well, that does not make him a gifted singer.

But this week, he matures.
This educational campaign is not actually engaged to teach;
it's more about hoping to purify ignorance.

-- Glenn R. Frantz

Hawaii to Begin Education for North Korean Missile Launch
No Way Out
Justin Bieber Banned From Performing in China