mercurial
(a trip to market gone horribly wrong!)
how swiftly casual conversation may
turn ugly in these troubling times
a simple “hi, how are you” may devolve
into a hateful, caustic diatribe
“I’m awful, things are terrible, right now
you know exactly what I mean!”
I regret I even asked, backing away
trying, but failing, to make a scene
it’s too late once the switch is flipped
their anger bursts into an ugly rage
I smile, say “I’m sorry” while turning
cautiously, I try to get away
regretfully, I failed to see his MAGA hat
before exchanging pleasantries
this is a dog you should never poke
don’t smile, avoid eye contact, let them be!
~kat
NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 29 Challenge: And now for our optional prompt. If you’ve been paying attention to pop-music news over the past couple of weeks, you may know that Taylor Swift has released a new double album titled “The Tortured Poets Department.” In recognition of this occasion, Merriam-Webster put together a list of ten words from Taylor Swift songs. We hope you don’t find this too torturous yourself, but we’d like to challenge you to select one these words, and write a poem that uses the word as its title.
Mercurial
Song Title/Album: “illicit affairs” / folklore
Lyric: “Take the words for what they are / A dwindling, mercurial high”
Definition: very lively and quick, or changing moods quickly and often
like mercury colliding... 
April 29th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
ugh… 😢
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April 29th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
It is getting really scary out there Michael. Some of these people just aren’t right. And they’re so angry! 😳
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April 29th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
To be honest, that is part of the reason why I retired when I did. Being in a church in Alabama (even with a progressive denomination) where there are so many koolaide drinkers here… I would have been fired from the last two churches (Georgia and Alabama) if I had still been at either one of them.
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April 29th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
So sad to hear that. It is such a tragedy what we have become as a country. But that is the reality. SMH😢
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April 29th, 2024 at 9:52 pm
Sadly it is… that is why I value friendships like yours… a light 💖
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April 30th, 2024 at 6:15 am
And you have been a dear bright spot to me. 💚
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April 29th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
OOPS!
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April 29th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Meltdown on aisle 10! 😳
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April 30th, 2024 at 3:56 am
Oh yes, these people are primed to explode on slightest provocation.
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April 30th, 2024 at 6:16 am
I know! I tread lightly these days!
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April 30th, 2024 at 6:33 am
😛
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