MILKWEED PODS BURST

by Lavinia Kumar

This is how the journey begins—

milkweed pods pop and seeds fly high.

The seeds wait to grow until next spring

then blossom ready for Monarchs to dine.

 

Butterfly bushes and milkweeds bloom—

this is how the journey begins,

as Monarchs flit, and suck sweet sap.

Do Monarchs and milkweed have a chat?

 

Their hungry caterpillars grow and munch

rest as cozy coccoon, under a green coat.

This is how the journey begins—

silent Monarch on silent milkweed.

 

Then colorful Monarchs start a new reign

fly south in thousands, cluster on trees.

And milkweed pods pop to make seeds fly

and this is how threats may begin.

A Pennsylvania school board member said she received death threats this month after her Facebook post was misinterpreted as celebrating the death of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, according to news reports. The Sept. 10 Facebook post, created by Homer-Center School District board member Misty Hunt, was uploaded the same day Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. In a separate post around 11:20 p.m., Hunt explained the caption of the misconstrued post was supposed to be paired with a video of milkweed seeds blowing in the wind, which she releases to help monarch butterfly populations. —PennLive, September 20, 2025

Lavinia Kumar’s latest book is Spirited American Women: Early Writers, Artists, & Activists—very short prose of near 100 remarkable women writers, poets, publishers, painters, artists, abolitionists, early suffragettes, and activists. 

NO MERCY

by Steven Kent

“Groyper” meme, the namesake of the group.

Nick Fuentes has denied speculation circulating on social media his followers, known as “Groypers,” were responsible for conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, after messages on unfired casings written by Kirk’s alleged shooter Tyler Robinson appeared to be linked to the far-right movement. —Forbes, February 13, 2025

A revolution always eats its young,

Devouring true believers in its urge

To prove itself more faithful to the cause.

With cries of heresy on every tongue,

There has to come a fateful final purge,

And then the end. Same as it ever was.

Steven Kent is the poetic alter ego of writer and musician Kent Burnside. His work appears in 251, Asses of Parnassus, Light Poetry Magazine, Lighten Up Online, The New Verse News, The Orchards Poetry Journal, Philosophy Now, Pulsebeat Poetry Journal, The Road Not Taken: A Journal of Formal Poetry, Snakeskin, and Well Read. His collection I Tried (And Other Poems, Too) was published in 2023 by Kelsay Books.