waiting for the phone
to ring, unaware that the
battery is dead.

what her voice ignites
cannot be extinguished by
a thousand hydrants.

it’s our way of life
they hate, not that we propped up
despotic leaders.

minimum number
of Chinese censors watching
web activity.

picking fights used to
be my hobby; now I just
let them come to me.

three-quarters stifling
defense mixed with an utter
failure to finish.

I recommend most
delicate care in choosing
the words you say next.