This is a note
that Vapor spoke
appearing, quietly
as mist
harmless, in wandering bliss
gathering shape, under-tree

Shift
Its diamond bow, hung low
parting wisp in fog sea
neck, a floating fist
buoyed, bobbing with ease
under-wave, its body clenched
wrapping tight, in tree weave

A hiss
slid free
in spiral eyes, we meet
“there are two sides:
look Left, look Right”
its tongue, fork-flicking
polarity, flipping
in fogged sea

I shiver
the wet kiss
of saline, ocean breeze
whispers soft, on pear skin
“I know just what you need”
a trickle drips
down-fang
ready to numb the pain
salivating, a hair’s breadth away
in striking distance

“you know, dear
I’m always near
it'ssss complicated, I fear
you don’t need to steer
the ship, anymore
do you?"

"sshhhh
quiet now
let the rest do the fighting
You and I will fare much better, here
There, there
no need to cry
we're nestled tight, together - safely
Close your eyes
I'll tuck you in, at night
the silence is always right
once we're breathing the same air"

Back of the Page

OK, is it just me, or is there a category of apathetic Non-Stance opinion that feels a lot like reading Vapor?

An appeal to soothing, sweet nothings. Like “there are both sides” or “it’s best to keep your head down, and stay quiet, dear”?

To me, these feel like subtle venom, as you can probably tell given the imagery. I am wondering: is this sort of sweet caretaking how we ended up here? The “if you don’t have something nice to say, be quiet” - when the commentary you’re offering is about pointing out injustice, grave harms, or the eroding of our rights? Who really benefits when we are quiet?

This is not advocating for any form of violence. I am merely pointing out what I feel is quiet violence already surrounding us: this feeling of being lulled to sleep by people with a sweet elixir of silence to offer us. “Hush now, this will all be over soon, once we’re the only ones left” - it reminds me of a Facebook comment I received from a relative in 2017, when Trump won the election and was talking about mass deportations: “Don’t worry, Van - he’s not coming after you! Just the illegals…”

“Just the…” has a cascading effect, especially when “Good People” are convinced that they need to remain silent, or look away quietly if it “doesn’t affect them.” To let these white supremacist moments go unchecked can feel like being eaten alive. A tacit acceptance of admitting it’s easier to share a lie that benefits you than to examine, or challenge it.

Today’s Post is about asking these questions:

• who benefits when we are silent?
• what types of venom have we grown immune to over time?
• who or what have we cozied up to for safety? and what did we stuff down and repress to gain this appearance of peace, on the surface?

🐍

Thank you for reading, and please share what imagery or experiences you’ve had.