Faction

A Work in Progress
108

It’s a dangerous time

factions are forming 

it’s becoming clear

billionaires crave power

In Caesar’s time Virgil was maybe sixteen 

when Catullus died

we don’t know how

we can conjecture

  

Virgil did not live to see Ovid exiled 

the same year Horace died 

leaving his estate to Augustus

poetry and politics intertwined

Cabinet members complain

they can be held in contempt

an inner circle is to blame

acting with no restraint

A lame duck still quacks

though his medications make him drowsy 

he’ s often nodding off

his orders remain the same

Enable him to stay in power

though his grip has loosened

he’s always wandering off

supporters are pissed off

He wants his name never forgotten

breaking taboos getting bigger bribes

he wants power and prizes

when all most want are lower prices

Factions are forming

nature will take its course

those that bought him

have buyer’s remorse

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                      2026

 Under a Gibbous Moon

A Work in Progress 

107

I can’t go on I must go on I will go on

though they call me back to them

sweet memories fade

Dust collects on solitude

rain washes time away

erasing wolf prints in the snow

Time pulls my existence along its rails

providing room and board

myopia magnifies reality close-up

Shielded by spectacles myopic eyes

explore far horizons a passing world 

now in focus an island across the sound

Where headlights can be seen at night

traversing curves and hillsides

mostly hidden by trees

Under a waning gibbous moon

highlighting with shadows a decreasing surface

I must go on a new moon beckons I will go on

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                   2026

Briseis Reappears – Deus Ex Machina

A Work in Progress
106

Donal opened it up and there she was on screen

password in hand, Briseis, speaking from his laptop

his hearing aids bluetoothed to a device elsewhere

he fumbled for connection while she unbuttoned her blouse

to show off a t-shirt emblazoned to arouse

“Resist” her t-shirt said

“Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”

Then he heard her voice

“No need to connect I’ve hacked your Bluetooth

 I’ve upgraded your Phonaks 

They’ll always switch to my voice when I’m calling

I’m in Minneapolis

It’s time to sweep the city clean

bring leaf blowers bring snow blowers

shoulder to shoulder we’ll sweep the streets clean

we’ll advance against pepper spray blow it right back

if they shoot at us, we’re armed with a right to fight back

we’re a free people we’ve sworn an oath 

we’ll sweep the streets clean

it’s time to de-ice”

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                        2026