An overt latent sshiftiness, both andss,
Neither norss, never alwayss the ssame;
Sslithering duness, conssisstent sshifting ssands,
Familiar, sscarcely recognissable;
Crucible, crux, ssacrifice, ssuffering, sshame.
F-150’s rifle rack naked, gun
Baked. Cup of staggering fisted. Son
Nailed, lanced, bled, mocked, screwed.
In car nato birthed, hanged from the rearview.
Lent from on high. Sucked up to sky. Who knew?
Peradventure corpses stir, what then?
Push come to shove, quoth the Raven.
Quake! Flood! Hot seas! Chiggers! A crappy wind!
Behold! Faults slipped. Glaciers melted. Crude spent.
Halfbreeds gumming dregs. Goddamned. Hellbent.
(c) 2026 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
EthicalDative 
A vivid and apocalyptic vision, Jim. I hope it doesn’t reflect your state of mind, rather the state of the nation. It will passssss!
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Hahaha! The sibilance is well spotted, Sue. I let this confection sit unposted for weeks because it seemed like such a sour gust. I think it comes from a confounding immersion in scriptures and in our sour political moment. Scribbling is therapy. But I’m innately of sunny disposition and too busy enjoying precious life with my gusty pursuits to be dispirited! I appreciate your lending discerning ear to my stuff. (I’ve discovered that “stuff” is used in the King James Bible! Who knew it wasn’t a modern throwaway word like “nice” and not late-16th-century English!)
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I am relieved to hear that writing is acting as an antidote to our ‘sour political moment’ – always a good way to cope. And who would have thought ‘stuff’ had such a distinguished heritage. Keep writing the good stuff, Jim!
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Thanks for your interest and engagement, Sue. So valuable.
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