Chateaubriand considered as the progenitor of lithium batteries by Mark Young

Chateaubriand considered as the progenitor of lithium batteries

hush · issue 9

The royalist writer is prepared by being
placed between two lesser mortals who
are discarded once the deed is done. From
what I can see, he’s still orange; but, what
the fuck, if that’s what he wants, then that’s
what he gets. & if they want to call that
romanticism, then let’s add shallots, thyme,
bay, mushrooms, & white wine to ensure
the name has some meaning, even if it may
not end those wars-in-name-only that play
out in some distant corner of the galaxy.

*

Goodenough by name, & good enough
for the Nobel Prize, they said of him.
Unlike others, who think they’re more
than good enough. Good, better, be-
set by delusions of grandeur. Gilt trip.

*

Department of War decals now occupy
the space where the plaque bearing
Emma Lazarus’ poem used to be. Hogs-
breath has ordered it taken down as it
no longer reflects the ideals of this ad-
ministration. “Mother of Exiles indeed!
The farther away from us, the better.”

Mark Young

Mark Young was born in Aotearoa / New Zealand but now lives in a small town in North Queensland in Australia. He has been publishing poetry for over sixty-five years, & is the author of around eighty books, primarily text poetry but also including speculative fiction, vispo, non-fiction, art history, & an artist’s book. Recently published books include Balance (Neo-Mimeo Editions) and From the Cave’s jukebox (Sandy Press). He was the founder & editor of Otoliths.