Category Archives: Civics

The Phase of Stage 2 (HA 62)

Posted on May 18, 2020 by sputterpub

Progressing to Stage 2, we’d like to know it’s progress, but our only certainty is lack of information. There’s a show on every network, short on strategy and tactics, acting like we’re in a war, and featuring some hospital release … Continue reading →

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Yeah, But (HA 57 Rhyme Royal)

Posted on May 13, 2020 by sputterpub

Attempting to count blessings while confined by virus, panic, proclamation, news, we’re trying to see tempest silver-lined: We say “At least we,” and embrace the views of thanks for Internet and nursing crews. We even hope that when this bane’s … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 40 (English Madrigal)

Posted on April 26, 2020 by sputterpub

We can’t foresee the shape of what comes next. Prognostication’s eye is blurred with strain. “It could be worse” is everyone’s refrain. For now we have the Internet and text, connections to assuage the social brain. We can’t foresee the … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 34 (English Madrigal)

Posted on April 20, 2020 by sputterpub

There’s no place safe on earth. There never was. Our culture stalled beneath complacency, the base too broad for continuity. Some thought we were protected by our laws, but they’re committee-built stupidity. There’s no place safe on earth. There never … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 31 (The Jerk Rispetto)

Posted on April 17, 2020 by sputterpub

We told the boys they couldn’t play more games until their room was clean. We didn’t care who worked, what way, or when (the oldest is 13). The Ruler wants our house arrest to end, but first we have to … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 19 (Heroic Couplets)

Posted on April 5, 2020 by sputterpub

The media reports successive spots where virus graphs condense their dire dots, as if the plague had patterns like a map of weather systems turning on the tap, evoking pollsters analyzing charts of primaries ascendant in our hearts, informing us … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 17 (Ottava Rima)

Posted on April 3, 2020 by sputterpub

It’s hard to be a fan of bureaucrats – we’ve made them rigid figures, comically. But now they’re stand-up heroes, on the mats of surreal contests, speaking honesty to power. Clerks and agents in white hats are damming up the … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 6 (Limerick)

Posted on March 23, 2020 by sputterpub

Some mammal released a flu storm That forced human trade to reform, Regardless of who We know this is true: Nobody escapes the new norm.

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House Arrest 4 (Villanelle)

Posted on March 21, 2020 by sputterpub

We look in vain to Washington for more. We merit information without lies. Just what do they think government is for? It doesn’t matter if we’re rich or poor; We question but receive no clear replies. We look in vain … Continue reading →

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