New Complexities, by Jennifer Lagier

Melania has gone missing.
Snarky conjecture ponders
recovery from plastic surgery,
a beating by her husband’s goons,
insurmountable disgust and estrangement.

Rudy, the orange one’s lawyer,
announces his client
is immune to subpoenas
or prosecution for
obstruction of justice.

The internet buzzes
with conspiracy theories,
fresh cruelties
new lunatic tweets,
hateful, racist eruptions.

A complex cancer
of culture and soul
spreads poisonous roots,
saps decency, supplants integrity,
strangles our country.

..

Jennifer Lagier has published fourteen books, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium readings. Newest books: Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle Press), Like a B Movie (FutureCycle Press). Forthcoming: Camille Mobilizes (Dec. 2018), (FutureCycle Press, 2018). jlagier.net