Beneath a Midnight Sky

” As Old As the Hills “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán As old as the hills over the hill hit it off hit the hay hit-or-miss hit the roof a smash hit hit the nail on the head hightail it high as a kite high and mighty neither hide nor hair take heart tug at the heartstrings warm the cockles of the heart wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve in the heat of the moment cross my heart have a crush on coming down in buckets brainwash (someone) a bolt from the blue once in a blue moon well beyond the pale someone’s better half getting one’s bearings ...

” By the Skin of One’s Teeth “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán By the skin of one’s teeth save one’s skin a skeleton in the cupboard the skull and crossbones cut (someone) down to size try that on for size! skin-deep a skinflint thick-skinned thin-skinned the sky’s the limit like pie in the sky not in the slightest while on the sly a slip of the tongue small wonder soft-pedal a soft touch no sooner said than done ...

” Look Sharp “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Look sharp look smart loom large as a long shot don’t lose heart thank one’s lucky stars make one’s mark like a marked man in no-man’s land flags at half mast meeting one’s match not to mince matters mealy-mouthed one man’s meat is another man’s poison get the message? make mincemeat of someone give someone a piece of one’s mind while declaring: “Great minds think alike - out of sight, out of mind” ...

” Up the Creek “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Up the creek give someone the creeps not all it’s cracked up to be till the cows come home there’s many a slip ‘twixt cup and lip cutting (someone) to the quick not firing on all cylinders a damp squid count one’s chickens before they hatch get cracking in dribs and drabs suit (someone) down to the ground long and drawn out a dressing-down down in the mouth prick up one’s ears walls have ears turn a deaf ear ...

” Perish the Thought “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Perish the thought food for thought second thoughts throw in the towel thumb one’s nose at thumbs down jump down someone’s throat in the throes of (something) I should think so think something out out in the cold the power behind the throne throw cold water (over) steal (someone’s) thunder twiddle one’s thumbs up and under thumbs up tide (someone) over for the time being killing time from time immemorial...

” Ruffle Someone’s Feathers “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Ruffle someone’s feathers pull the rug out from under someone there’s the rub round up rub someone’s nose in it rack and ruin (all) the rage as right as rain save for a rainy day raise a stink go on the rampage break ranks as thin as a rake a one-horse race the rat race rack one’s brain raise Cain ...

” A Grey Area “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán A grey area grin and bear it like a Cheshire cat up for grabs how does that grab you ? being taken for granted what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander in good hands goodness knows have a go go the whole hog go to pot in the lap of the gods hand in glove the gloves are off go off off one’s rocker what gives? holding the lily Something’s amiss! ...

“ Take a Back Seat “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Take a back seat by the seat of your pants have a ringside seat take a seat make it snappy snap out of it not to be sneezed at for a song and a dance more in sorrow than in anger a sore point a sight for sore eyes not a bad sort it takes all sorts (to make a world) soul-searching in the space of a minute on speaking terms you never can tell you’re telling me! ...

“ As Bright As a Button “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán As bright as a button looking on the bright side bringing to light play one’s cards right every cloud has a silver lining come to light as the crow flies in full cry cut and dried a rough diamond within striking distance let sleeping dogs lie drop in drop off drop out a dry run dry up go dry high and dry dyed-in-the-wool ears are burning play it by ear walls have ears the end justifies the means make ends meet how goes the enemy? all things being equal keep on an even keel in the twinkling of an eye make the feathers fly ...

” Not to Be Able to Believe “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Not to be able to believe one’s ears to the best of my belief as clear as a bell as sound as a bell saved by the bell not all beer and skittles begging to differ go one better given the benefit of the doubt a bird in the hand the birds and the bees take the bit in one’s teeth do one’s bit not a bit of it thrilled to bits a bitter pill take the biscuit take the cake take it from me take it or leave it namedropping tail-end Charlie like clock work dearly departed a shot in the dark having a crush on pluck up the courage cool as a cucumber that’s the way the cookie crumbles as clear as mud ...

“ Keep the Ball Rolling “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Keep the ball rolling beat the band go out with a bang break the bank go bananas scrape the bottom of the barrel have a barrel of fun at full tilt tilting at windmills through thick and thin tickled pink think nothing of it this and that this that and the other that’s another thing spilling the beans crying over spilt milk the spitting image a sight for sore eyes all for a song in the wee small hours of the morning ...

” A Wild Goose Chase “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán A wild goose chase two bites at the cherry not having a snowball’s chance in hell coming to rest with a bone of contention getting cracking cracking jokes at the crack of dawn not all it’s cracked up to be up the creek given the creeps from crocodile tears while crossing one’s fingers manically dotting one’s i’s and crossing one’s t’s as the crow flies crying wolf for crying out loud a crying shame getting licked into shape sharp as a razor no great shakes two shakes of a lamb’s tail with one’s tail between one’s legs just between you and me - Big Deal! ...

” Making a Mark “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Making a mark informally on the Solstice in the forest through thick and thin as the plot thickens thinking nothing of it this that and the other out of hand out of commission out of turn out of work over the hump over and done red blooded right off right you are serves you right rise and shine cut down to size try that on for size praised to the skies not in the slightest slipping one’s mind all smiles on the sly ...

” Colorful and Peculiar “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Colorful and peculiar as happy as the day at the end of the day name the day carry the day days are numbered save the day those were the days win the day every dog has its day take it easy easy come, easy go out at the elbow the end of the road from the word go no go own up on the up-and-up up-and-coming coming to light out like a light like greased lightning in the limelight scaring the living daylights as a live wire dressed to the nines ...

“ Compiling Headlines and Storylines “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Compiling headlines and storylines Taking up the judge’s offer barking, Arguably you sold your country out!”; We don’t want to shut down the government we want to shut down the border; Bump stocks, used to make semi-automatic rifles fire in rapid bursts are outlawed; Here are some tips for helping teenagers quit vaping; The Earth’s shell has cracked, and we’re drifting on the pieces; The slow shifting is still a deep mystery; Astronomers have named the solar system’s most distant object, ”Farout”; Saturn with no rings? It could happen! And sooner than you think!; A Dracula Ant’s jaws could make it the fastest animal on Earth; Albinism strips pigment from the body, including the eyes - causing intense sensitivity to light; Breastfeeding is tied to a smaller waist size for mothers; Marijuana is partially legalized; Report cards go out on Friday; Making the case for creative play in a Dig...

” In Certain Cases “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán In certain cases with one takeaway by hyper-polarized candidates within our social media age involving analyzing databases with no sign of abatement as platforms serve as battle spaces shifting focuses away like violent tectonic plates with political high stakes due to misinformation campaigns likened to emotionally engaging state-sponsored manipulations proposing legislation to negate mass persuasions of populations over entire populists terrains by concocting fictional domains for imposter operations now coming under recent investigation intending to separate “fact from fake” requiring greater and greater sophistication to determine, “What’s shakin’” based solely on debated critical data being simply, “made up” as chicanery “Stirred up” by day-to-day online conversations while wearing the masked face of divisive  provocation having secretly preyed on our national naïveté...

” Mounting Evidence of All-Night Sessions “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Mounting evidence of all-night sessions resigning under pressure inflating rents opening sketches as headquarter checks for celebrity guests shown in pretaped segments speaking English without an accent like least-expected deadpanned predecessors slipping through dragnets at sleep away camps while spying on cats knicknamed, “Batman” eating a low-carb and high-fat diet but engaging in frequent exercise where reindeer racing is a way of life ...

“ Upticks “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Upticks reduced to small bits with big shoes to fill lacking in people skills exceeding speed limits racing downstairs for drinks “ Silly me! “ listing sweetly yet not defiantly by harkening back to the 60’s while singing zigzagging melodies a la analog geeks now unseemly so homey pained and potent like an interwoven drone thickly textured and harshly toned via loudly unfolding notes and background vocals radiating the entire focus with the dumbfounding gusto of showy concertos by best-known jazz composers...

“ Keeping America Covered “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Keeping America covered while stocks get pummeled and bonds tumble “ Just where do we put our money?! “ exposed to lawsuits around the country hidden scams of cross-contamination asbestos sprinkled into talcum baby powder facing harassment leading active passers just 2 inches shy of six feet munching on salted chocolate chunk shortbread cookies being told to switch to cornstarch based on solid arguments and hard truths of rural communities having failed to turn failures into accomplishments “I see your name everywhere!” “You’re killing it!” “O.K. , I get it!” like a word with “baron” or “basin” “Au contraire!”

” Secretly Rolling Back Efficiency Standards “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Secretly rolling back efficiency standards paired with stalled plans while tapping scandals of front-loaded data fomenting carbon tax backlashes falsely claiming, “It was an accident!” unwilling to care about catastrophic thermal samples rapid unravelings left unprepared for global disasters ...

“ Facing the End “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Facing the end last-ditch efforts taking hard lines on Brexit facing sentencing keeping marching choosing not to stop accusations of traps reclaiming mantles preparing crackdowns both cyber and economic yet hoping to live on via a memoir already started like signature fossils branded, “flamboyant awfulness” after meeting in The Oval Office ...

” The Prospect of Defeat “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán The prospect of defeat uncertainty tenacity confusion reigning collective rage chipping away at sanctions and lobby payments snaring replacements prosecutors’ accusations stating, “America’s at stake!” fighting gangs air strikes being traced only half way anonymous complaints staying tuned for updates hearing our ways ...

“ On a Shoestring “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán On a shoestring going from gig to gig not getting any sleep seriously studying flyer-de-lys in bilingual theaterspeak seeking amorous properties all atop a candy heart “Let’s tie the knot! You’re on! “

“ Silent Communication, for Short “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Silent communication, for short furiously adding and subtracting finally getting a breather “Fuhgeddaboutit!” corralling bits of forensic data a la “Inspector Gadget” when crepuscular animals are active “Am not!” “Don’t worry, be happy!” mimicking Silicone Valley not doing anything rash donning wing-shaped tails during neuro exams for aquaculture fans having solved puzzle squares with “bubbles ‘n’ baubles” as part of the body to slap - “My bad!” ...

” Out and About “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Out and about “ It’s a long story for Doctors Without Borders” pleading in open court smelling deep-fried balls of corn hearing, “Get along little doggie get along” singing “ Do a dear a female dear “ asking, “Are we clear?” dreaming of peaceful scenes seeing “Dungeons & Dragons” baddies where, “Orange is the New Black” while sighing, “Ah well, that’s that!” ...

” In Very Few Words “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán In very few words in Mom-and-Pop Holiday Shoppes spotting hand- made garments plus hand- spun yarns sold by the yard quickly pulling out digital wallets from hip pockets as shoppers spar for coveted “hard goods” yelling, “Step on it!” while keeping a look out “for words before Ghost or Grail” loudly shouting, “Whoa there!” ...

” Rendered Harmless “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Rendered harmless like solids melted into bars of incongruous conglomerates smelted along prominent promenades subsequently declared, “boondoggled properties” getting broken in two upon playing musical spoons doused in fragrant fruits as compounds used in funerary perfumes activated by taps “Get it now?” ...

” Receiving a Deep Sense of Disconnection “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Receiving a deep sense of disconnection having posed new questions leading to a feeling of menace hearing alarm bells lacking fact checking past and present creating relentless cultural tension while depending on reduced sentences being given precedence as precious gems strung on a necklace way out in the desert by Nobelists getting wedded to charged atomic particles like down under coppers with Eden-ous origins stowed as cargo in massive arcs as exceptions to “No-Pet” policy boondoggles ...

” Quickly Confessing “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Quickly confessing making incremental concessions feeling on edge facing “Yellow Vest “ protests questioning governance not knowing what to expect with evidence suggesting “ seeing red “ while reincarnating deceptions as our “obsessive selves” being offered hard lessons while lacking in intelligence having stirred up mixed messages then being left on the back doorsteps of known predators depending solely on air pressures to roll back protections based only on rough drafts ...

” Walking Among Us “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Walking among us donning modified genes of in vitro procedures as “would-be” parents stream into “mini-factories” called, “ mitochondrial germ lines” being realized by swapping and thereby “erasing” disease via “replacement therapy” altering their DNA “there-buy” heredity disclaimed ...

” Learning and Unlearning “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Learning and unlearning from the classically ravishing to tending sheep in bare feet protected controlled and told to “Stay at home!” gazing up wordlessly at a giant screen where movies were once called, “Talkies” being sealed by a kiss until recently circling playfully cinematically sassy as sublime females becoming radically distinct characters moving in and out of houses be-dazzlingly mouthy howling with laughter fading to black ...

” Pondering, Is Battle-Scarred Flannel Gone?” by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Pondering, “Is battle-scarred flannel gone?” requiring the strict dyeing of each and every individual yarn weaving warp and weft even and blended needing finishing by napping feeling “right” in your hand looking panicked months passing hitting more and more snags throughout the annals of old-fashioned flannel plaids making strong comebacks as Dark Anderson Cameron Buchanan Black Watch Prince Charles and Tartan millions of yards finding niche markets cotton farmers planting with confidence yielding bountiful harvests - “ Voilà! “ ...

” Raising the Stakes “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Raising the stakes with messy threats having dug up hard evidence where there are no beds left for overdose deaths setting new records lowering life expectancy stepping up surveillance on legalized betting as a civics lesson bouncing checks and going way out register — “ Whew, that’s enough for now!” let’s answer our unread emails and seek some easy cash by using downloadable free money apps ...

“ Flopping to the Ground After Making a Touchdown “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Flopping to the ground after making a touchdown Is he hurt? Nope! He’s simulating giving birth like a well-executed tip drill which is always a little trickier dunking an oblong sphere drawing a notorious punch and sprawl while performing a full-on long jump all across the marching band pit playing the role of a pitcher after pulling out a hidden old-fashioned flip double clutching with a twist knocking down pins upon mimicking bowling in limbo ...

” A Stronger Solver “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán A stronger solver making it to the sidebar on a rotating gift shop while playing your part “.org named documents” where the whippersnapper clouds float above the yacht club deemed atomically tacked on like “Sorry Charlie Laptops” yet still deemed, “Smart as a fox” spouting frothy onetime mottoes “ That’s a lock! “ for Hogwarts’ Pokémon Harry Potter aficionados, “Got milk?” ...

“ Taking a Mini Peak at a Ginormous Answer Key “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Taking a mini peak at a ginormous answer key for a wiley cartoon series as needed by ‘50s greasers flashing distress signals during Winter Olympics donning garnishes for a vodka tonic after consuming tube-shaped pasta while wearing sport shirts for golfers embroidered, “Bud’s Bud in Comedy” honoring “Mama’s Mama” as seen on TV spots playing “Carmina Burana” spreading a cracker topping for the Grand Pooh-bah calling, “Mazel Tov” metaphorically, “Carry On!” ...

“ Missing Connections “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Missing connections trailblazing secretly geeky getting genetically engineered hoping everything goes perfectly as “otherworldly” just prior to re-release plants as seeds Nursery rhymes repeating, “ Man I’m sorry!” like cloudless stockpiles blown over miles and miles extending diatribes of tormented titans “ I’m f-f-f-freezing!” resulting from a corner kick titled, “Gone with the Wind” along with the shrinking of the Arctic labeled, “It’s a wrap” abbreviated on a food wrapper being read upside down feeling hit by multiple arrows way up ski mountain used as a playground for water hazards splashing tit for tat scrambled downloadable tragedies...

” In Stark Terms “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán In stark terms squirming when asked to curb polluting our planet causing lethal harm to humans and animals undoing climate rules softening scientific conclusions with deadlines looming falling back in fear of canisters of tear gas being beat back as refugees flee poverty running pushing strollers and holding frightened children in their arms breaching border security wrestling with next steps seeing long waits await reading, “Here’s what you need to know to start your day” themed, “Funding the neediest cases” wearing nerdiness as a badge asking, “ What’s so bad about that?” making clues and answers match traveling caravans spacecrafts landing on “The Red Planet” ...

” Current and Future “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Current and future virtually indiscernible both collective and personal controversy shaping our world zanily furious endless loops of heartlessness and cruelty robots talking dirty mimicking chameleonlike suicidal exiled refugees in crises defying reciting rapid fire night after night pajama clad lanky gaggles packing sleeping bags with insomniatic dark matter ...

” Sticking to the Weather “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Sticking to the weather trying to be grateful without rolling our eyes it can feel contrived - but that’s all right feeling like meeting for the first time during charged times while focusing in on climate and battling our brain’s built-in negativity bias as well as unrecognized mythologized genius wiring beaming on the lucky side getting back in line after severing all ties and bolstering the sky ...

” Upgraded from Critically Endangered “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Upgraded from “critically endangered” to “endangered” still living in dire straits like ministering to death row inmates as an amalgamation of speculation and debate many mysteries remaining within subglacial climate changes tectonic plates digging out ocean basins creating mountain ranges better to track a warming planet in unprecedented detail new routes to science stations planned looking like mining camps studying collapsing ice caps with no official price tag for the equivalent of a launchpad while dragging huge fuel bladders sundials casting deep shadows continental rollbacks ...

” Art Forms Born of Nostalgia “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Art forms born of nostalgia memories in plastic with spiky hair molded and painted by hand repurposed as, “kitbashing” by reusing contraptions including blister packs for contrarians “bootlegged” reimagined via mashups while wearing razzle-dazzle kaleidoscope glasses unveiling masses of masked action fans ...

” Peeling Back the Paint “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Peeling back the paint looking beneath layer upon layer uncovering major changes revealed in minute detail as a huge advancement once known as “The Tower of Babel” being ground on wood panels engaged in jousting matches with skeletons beneath shrouds deemed, “Too fragile to travel” images of farm animals like, “The Adoration of the Lamb” while still looking for answers stating, “Mars has killed many spacecrafts “ time to prepare...

” Making Us Less “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Making us less as singular figures attempting to take on new relevances like ponderous prognosticators awakening two years too late pre-determining candidates like champions of softening enthusiasms asking, “Why change now?” being greeted with fervent shouts while holding rallies throughout the heartland looming large all for the sake of  “The Party” claiming, “Change is what we want!” boasting unmatched followers pushing policies of the populists delivering bipartisans above a demagogue breaking mobster bonds stomping down derogatory remarks loudly condemning family separations new nominees remarking, “We’re just getting started!” ...

“ There’s a Hitch “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán There’s a hitch worth upward of 80 million in the midst of nuclear fission and the assassination of a dissident still in need of a veto- proof majority in response to the viscious killing implicating a crown prince secretly coveting missiles with elaborate delivery systems having deceived the world for years driving nuclear thinking shifting public positions wishing to match capabilities scorning deals as flashpoints of disaster sparking hard- nosed feelings on the matter deemed, “adversarial creatures of habit” stopping to deliver sandwiches to members of the military branch then celebrating a flourishing brand extravagantly planned including children and the grands all lining up at carving stands ...

” Recipes “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Recipes step-by-step puffed up again nice and crispy whisking extra eggs to the soft peak stage served on prepared plates full-flavored Thanksgiving Day tangy finger buffets smokey flavors allowed to marinate tossed onto hot pasta pistachio pilaf sliced black olives onions garlic spinach gnocchi red berry tarts mangia mangia ...

“ Flashing Warnings “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Flashing warnings extreme uncertainties experiencing interrupted sleep feeling divided between the sad and the funny seeing rising fragilities embracing myths used like purification rituals for communal movements brand names ruthlessly boosted by supposed tycoons while making fluky rules with impunity Truth being gruesomely skewered —time to prosecute ...

” Making Anything Out of Everything “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Making anything out of everything best-selling TVs made at breakneck speed it’s all about self-sufficiency and national security championing cutting-edge industries mostly composed of embedding tiny chips into sole shoulders by unknown soldiers taking commanding leads all without precedents in modern history yet taking great risks to continue indefinitely like vain attempts to walk off internet sprawl by supposedly enforcing dreary conformity hoping to control how data is stored by issuing censorship orders for mobile platforms being policed and determined to be: “ too raunchy “ “too flirty” “ too creepy” and “too weird” quirkily deemed, “Marketing Villiany” ...

“ The Flickering Question “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán The flickering question over testing of the status quo skipping brining stuffing trussing and basting on Thanksgiving Day while claiming to make the best potato casserole out of the home white sweet red bliss being given spicy tips to increase metabolism making surprising omissions having once run a marathon much too quickly amid wildflower wildfires’ smoke and smog while donning a GPS watch hoping to feel totally in control haunted by, “Oh I just don’t know which way to go!” getting stoked by owning vast collections of out-of-focus movie posters ultimately feeling robbed of flimsy closure ...

“ Buttressing Assessments with Intercepts “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Buttressing assessments with intercepts yet still declining to comment due to immeasurable interdependences lacking definitive evidence of roles in viscous deaths mourning dissidents allegedly lethally tranquilized and dismembered unable to make decisive steps ruthless efficiency, “Tell your boss—the deed was done” seeing botched body doubles attending forensic graduations seeking missing remains a grievous fiancé left pacing over days and daze ...

“ Step Inside the Mind “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Step inside the mind thanks to vast archives and amassed artifacts now anyone can access scrapbooks manuscripts and scriptures of language crossing Ton Pan Alley becoming unfashionable to the critical establishment time passing better understanding of idiosyncratic backgrounds for cultural ambassadors reinstating press passes establishing “jazzzz” via originality writing constantly “commas turning into apostrophes “ as savvy autobiographies incorporating clip art as a hobby making collage from prominent popular stars like booty beboppers applying lip balm having scrubbed public documents ...

” Shadows Growing Against the Snow “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Shadows growing against the snow having once brought back bison reintroduced gray wolves restored trumpeter swans elk and grizzly bears now heightened Fahrenheit increasing fires less forests expanding grasslands shallower warmer waterways transformed habitats lacking in adaptation decreasing snowpack faster rain evaporation drought pouring over data weather changing faster and faster invasive cheat grasses overwhelming native plants and animals double and triple whammies...

” Ignored Warnings Behind Glass Walls “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Ignored warnings behind glass walls blaming subordinates for sinking platforms hiding behind corners all in avoidance of law enforcement concealing repositories of money-laundering billionaire bosses deploying scapegoat stories anonymous sources seeking secret endorsements in glittering ballrooms yet failing to dispel disappointments as revelers roar with rasping voices threatening grizzly job cuts in a cutthroat economy as “Almighty Dollars” are recalled fondly with smaller than expected margins seeking the weak spots in campaign mottos: “Speaking to the Heartland” ...

” Laid Out Plans : Wildfires Don’t Care” by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Laid out plans: “Wildfires Don’t Care” all that has happened taken to task rebuilt from scratch all via Instagram as thick smoke hangs in the air with little chance while poking everywhere wearing white hazmat suits and red hard hats black hearses traveling hazard lights flashing continuing to battle evaluating fragments dogs sniffing for cadavers grim forensic tasks retrieving teeth in ashes broken glass construction nails surviving signs tacked to damaged trees reading, “Chidren playing, be careful “ ...

” Making Misleading Claims “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Making misleading claims “What will it take to set the record straight?” narrowly escaping scrambling to safety battling unrelenting flames in multiple locations over thousands of acres “Taking care to lift the rake when you arrive at the raised roots of the maple - beneath the honeysuckle tangle” high winds blowing as a continuing frustration “When the gales die down, we will buy more time” while tiny embers actively fly for miles over the night ready to ignite along with lightning strikes and sparks from revolving tires sounding the language of firefighting: “aerial assaults”  “boots on the ground”  “dropping retardant”  wartime correspondents writing, “Heroism is living next to horror — all by The Grace of God” ...

” A Great Deception “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán A great deception left undisclosed intelligence making false claims to have neutralized nuclear threats declining to comment diplomacy put into peril concealing weapons in tunnel entrances intercontinental missile warheads hidden within narrow valley dead ends supplemented by research fellows and defectors vulnerable to pre-emption short range midrange and long threatening our shores lacking small satellites for early warning ...

“ From a Palm-Fringed Shoreline “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán From a palm-fringed shoreline flame-engulfed “Paradise” columns of smoke rising turning day into night having survived “fire” three times gunfire gunfire wildfire victims not yet identified year-round igniting downed power lines firefighters’ lives on the line surging doubling in size overnight thousands of houses set alight aggravated by the warming climate extreme dryness -- no rain in sight ...

“ No Waiting “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán No waiting for an animatronic ape to appear magically on stage crinkly faced eye-brows raised giant jowls weighing in @ 2,000 pounds vocalizing and knuckle walking as a silverback moving to inflatable airbags eyes glistening as if moist with no visible white around the irises facial expressions generated from joysticks and pedals amplifying shifting settings with video projections plus voice modulated electronic heavy breathing moaning crying sighing sneezing grunting and barking during ambitious projects in high profile being tossed aside by sparse ticket buyers subsequently requiring extreme tweaking to succeed as a splendid beast in the theater “What were you thinking?!” while blowing smoke and flying convincingly eyelids blinking eerily...

“ Easy Chemistry “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Easy chemistry reaching for extremes in between strutting and preening imperiously grinning roaring back clapping taking pinnacle bows along with raw talent facing gigantic challenges wearing studded armbands for both pop and rock in order to leverage popularity and charismatic swaggering being left either laughing or gasping upon shabbily meandering all in remembrance of past anger thinking in profanities seeing history repeating coming to terms with inadvertent evil still left echoing perceived differently while missing the comedies of Laurel and Hardy ...

” Lunar Cycling “ for Larry Robin @ Moonstone Arts by Suzán Jiván Lunar cycling flood tide ebb tide swirling eddies near and mean lunar pedigrees opposed to apogees waxing and waning racing and ranging gauging waves predictive time tables vertical oscillation under the keel over the shoal anchored and beached boats holding gathered Moonstones...

“ Jiggering Special Interests “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Jiggering special interests all with a bit of a twist within the thinning of specifics of history far less than trivial yet seemingly invisible as images and symbols riven by antagonisms and still counting while disputing, “How to go about it “ still wondering, “Who won?” sloganeering, “Unlimited Everything- Come Join Us!” as columnists, “Sign Off” after swerving from the goofy to the ghastly while playing on the hapless wily pranksters cheerfully surmising upon speed reading bleak archives, “There MUST be an afterlife!” delighting on the dark side as precarious survival like tensely riding on a stage coach ride as passengers recite sonnets for a pass time sounding, “Just Fine!” all within a 2 hour 12 minute running time ...

” Adopting a Tsunamil Warlike Posture “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Adopting a tsunamil warlike posture POTUS pointing at war correspondents held inside of the White House following midterm flippings of the Congress at combative presidential press conferences cloaked by undated DOJ letters of resignation covertly revealed later having raised the stakes for hatred and gunplay student fatalities registered at the end of the day DOA ...

“ Unusually High “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Unusually high turnouts past interactive maps and tallies having flipped the House and gained ground like culminations from anger and frustrations as takeaways battlefields changing like difficult undertakings as failsafe screen adaptations deemed, “less complicated” like doing research for a high school final paper while seeking, “Straight A’s” via the sordid machinations of a teenage filmmaker staging post-polling places as seen “off location” ...

“ Election Day: Against a Confusion “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Against a confusion of “too little room to maneuver in the voting booth” for unassimilated groups attempting continuity for both “the similar” and “the different” contrasted by “as if” and “whereas” on whiz- bang data maps doing their election magic as ballots are cast captured on hidden cameras reframing worry into caring about a person who matters during film galas in internment camps filled with wisecracking international hackers donning hi-tops that clash while loudly chanting, “Shut Up & Dribble!” leading to manic scribbling on leaded walls of gyms hoping to ward off scary hits ...

” Truth Be Told “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Truth be told like stories of being totally mortal holding no grudges - no joke - invoking, “ Holy Moly “ as a secure piece of deductive reasoning like hardly likely impossible biases deemed, “spiders’ teeth” and “bats’ wings” leaving large dowries consisting of innumerable leaps of inductivity being practiced to an obsessive degree creating doubting due to chronically stopping and starting “Grand Old Parties” ...

” A Passing Reference “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán A passing reference to opening sketches kept free from expletives by press secretaries as read heavily in the comments section “ click here for refreshers on where we left off” not quite yet making any sense whatsoever as perplexed voters prepare to press levers grappling with questions of ethics asking “Will distance learning help?” heavily edited and condensed labeled, “Not at all what we expected!” while banning screens from classes altogether spending millions on enormous plots in Nevada based on chainlink technology issuing exit packages having been accused of harassment being linked to cancer at least in rats boldly labeled, “ Too big to fail” crammed with lengthy PAC ads ...

” A Super Massive Black Hole “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán A super massive black hole 3,000 miles per second reddening starlight heaving and stretching torn apart blurry glimpses of doomed gases at billions of degrees hot spot probing edges intense gravity dark arcs jets of gases escaping new born stars great speckled dinosaur eggs trolling the monsters of the Milky Way named, “Sagittarius A” aka a stupendous bottomless grave secrets left unscathed retained amid a haze of radio waves thousands of millions of light years away coming with high stakes anguished by “Spirals of Hate” punctuated by exploding campaigns and the escalation of climate change shrouded pines suddenly giving way willfully ignoring dangers spotting disinformations detecting asbestos in crayons adjusting heart rates playing the role of a patient both real and fake holed up in finishing papers gauging dialysis costs and indoor vaping noticing increasing mortality rates already well...

“ Scrawls and All “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Scrawls and all resurfaced recordings calls for a “wee shade less” in one section wildly unconventional garrulous progressions increasingly obsessive no matter how breathless with interpretive discrepancies written as mock letters as anything but effortless carrying out painstaking editing seeking the ordinary in the eccentric speculative fictionalized segments while clowning around with friends and making the spread just for emphasis with experimental mini-festivals mixing intimacy with intensity generating elegant energy shifting incrementally as skittering mercurial entities improvising together inevitably remembering everything neither pretending nor regretting entering noirish realms ...

“ Shared Actions “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Shared actions of suspicion and despair being dismissed as “false flags” baffled by frailty hunkering down in labyrinthine tunnels grieving bureaucratese faces ringed in crimson conspiracy theories while serving as raw materials both weird and unserious as alternative facts hung in galleries light-footed and refashioned due to breadth of talent on diagonals reincarnate like color ink washes splashed on falling leaves entitled, “Not sure of anything” ...

“ Under the Scrubby “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Under the scrubby city-park trees “Sh-h-h please!” dressed up on a nothing week going out for drinks trying not to think of silver bells ringing above slit red kettles clanging coins rolled-up bills tucked in to nostalgic fiction as raw material for boggling flow charts being tied into knots feeling uneasy and unresolved due to pressing problems dissolving into a goner wooly-bear fog ...

“ An Obstacle Course of Old-Flip-Flops “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán An obstacle course of old flip-flops plus ubiquitous shampoo bottles while security guards mark nesting spots for black market turtle products intestinal tracts becoming blocked filled with sharp shards as necropsies yield evidence of deadly reptilian tomorrows ...

“ Eagerly Awaiting “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Eagerly awaiting seated around a table red illumination face-to-face diverted gazes levitating vases and lampshades carnations on séance tables slithering ash trays unexplained cobwebs on faces paws stroking calves and ankles buzzing sensations bats flapping in faces becoming inundated by spirit communications having put salt on their tails ...

“ Purplish Lips “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Purplish lips dotted with mahagony flowers yellowish-olive decorative and popular leathery fronds being pulled apart when the flowering stops then discarded leaving deep yellow marks and maroon blotches new growth showing at the top keeping a careful watch for downward arching yellow-spotted green margins as edible rootstock of mottled rose-pink orange having been sown in Spring distinguishing globular green ...

“ Most Commonly “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Most commonly tall and leggy mature tips used for propagation moistened equal parts uncovered pots slight swelling under bark thinly marked yellows and oranges being moderately watered buttons-on-a-string dryed out completely fresh offsets in Spring speckly spider lilies shabby and untidy when reaching flowering size crossbarred and striped red undersides hours of warm sunlight looking gingery fine...

“ A Cool Winter’s Rest “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán A cool winter’s rest recharged energy blunt-tipped leaves marbled pale and dark greens edged with yellow freshly topdressed flowers developing into scented heads slightly indented gradually turning red splayed cut ends watered plentifully undulating edges fleshy trailing stems striking berries nipped out regularly ...

“ The Normal “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán The normal comblike spines hairlike ribtypes shown in medium light being allowed to dry pressed lightly prickly cacti stiff and grasslike narrow stripes humidity kept high light being filtered through blinds indirect sunlight light to deep lilac intertwining divided lengthwise from one-to-five yellow spines coarse sand and perlite only opening at night irregular knoblike as insurance against rotting fan-shaped fronds post potting and repotting into bowls pans and baskets transparent fine and hairy watered sparingly cuttings kept in bags roots trailing promoting branching via vigorous parent plants yielding plethora’s of plantlets ...

“ Tipping a Scale “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Tipping a scale as headlines of record revealing chief suspects having committed terror listening to respected experts seemingly projecting readiness in setting after setting committing surgery if necessary being saved from imminent death via luminaries whispering and whistling mood shifting uncovering disturbing quandaries questioning credibility clipping wings of advocacies cross examining grandstanding attacks magnifying peculiarities attempting to squelch the terrible switching momentum clues intercepted detecting true identities with every exaction and test leading to apprehension without pretense getting let down gently as of yet no deaths having foiled dastardly acts in coordinated fashion under surveillance peering into rosettes as simple offsets while absorbing water forming short leaf stalks only inches tall lance shaped and glossy flowers borne via tubers and corms required moisture eve...

“ Catch Me If You Can “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Catch me if you can as if by magic tipping the scales overbearingly ironclad undetected then flimflammed by hidden cameras raising red flags while oscillating to jazz all through a gin glass being convincingly mastered singly and repeatedly clasping hands together as if in prayer palms hot and damp like re-enacting nightmares becoming detached determined to be “Old Hat” forming formidable challenges in a crackdown on the impaired hailed as an anthema to ectoplasm jumping into a cab running the gambit of the way too fantastic as utterly affable both floating in mid air calling, “Contact!” upon taking evasive action seen back-to-back feeling totally unembarrassed by each-and-every account accepting the peculiarities of endless gatherings leaving no time for leisure or distraction prayers having been answered ...

” On the Outside “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán On the outside of the circle like expecting a biscuit after doing a trick ghosts blowing clarion whistles fading notes signaling leaving varying cool breezes hushed by a “tsk - tsk” mistaken as kisses blown by apparitional committees deemed to be “mediumistic activity” and coldly scientific with admitted validity while assuming respectability by brushing against cold cheeks and spinning spectral moonbeams featuring floating tambourines spirit hands slate messages and phosphorescent forms moving without apparent cause phantom tagalongs not knowing what is happening sounding like chains dragging ...

“ Ectoplasmic Escapades “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Ectoplasmic escapades protuberant eyes viewing furniture levitating around the room while being ballyhooed by old-time spooky spectral music clanging tambourines rocking violently scoffing experts on escapology practicing while unconscious hearing occult carnival barkers stomachs tied in knots hosted by hypnotic blondes in darkened parlors listening to ghost and goblin gossip psychically bonding with ectoplasmic quarries as worthy respondents donning black garments howling down dark passageways screaming and swearing in a deep supernatural trance ...

“ Reappearing “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Reappearing in all parts of a theater after swallowing a handful of sewing needles then bringing them out threaded to an uncanny effect likened to telepathic flim flammers while floating in mid air impressed by sleights of hand wildly contorted fearsome teeth and horns experiencing awe-filled voices to thunderous applause as throngs of reporters wave from long long warves moralists be forewarned as golden keys fit all doors seeing bob-haired phenomena becoming deeply involved in a seánce...

“ The Widening Boundry “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán The widening boundry between the known and the little known engaging in tunneling and excavating prancing barefoot on the stage showing some leg exclaiming, “ Don’t let them tame me! “ as simultaneously as shame and sensation in the drawing rooms of Back Bay being smeared in the newspapers yet still preaching peace and normalcy according to each-and-every creed emitting auras of healing mediums prescribed like botanical elixirs deemed invisible balms for the sick spirits emerging from the mist feeling both excited and uneasy like a fine tickling at the finger tips filters switched on seen swimming briskly yet being feed sparingly triggerfish angelfish parrotfish red wigglers in the top few inches laying cocoons quickly the sunnier the position the stronger the coloring each inflorescence lasting for weeks leathery arrowheaded leaves white salmon pink offcentered puckering shimmering em...

“ Cordoned Off “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Cordoned off gone wrong “It’s all according” to humiliation and outrage having moved from hobbyist curiosity to mainstream technology solving the coldest of cases being easily mistaken feeling exonerated decades later siting flamethrower campaigns feeling dazed yet savvy via a changeup by a spin-maker like whiny babies in their early stages of non-verbal communication for puppet nations in the contiguous states undergoing jiggly renovations along lost highways as seen by levitating eyes fighting off snakebites ...

“ Look “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Look at the work of four-letter words quickly turning into forty stuffing sentences with straw then failing the test the very next morning having missed obvious points like, “It seems to me” and “at least from my point of view” while hedging against incompetence as unmentionables in each and every sense by touching on the touchiest of subjects such as death and madness saying, “passing away” “meeting their maker” mixed in with lighter cliches like, “kicking the bucket” “cashing in their chips” “handing in their dinner pails” “innocent” and “simple” and “off of their trolley” with and without any apology feeling, “sultry” and “steamy” and “seldom at ease” becoming insufferably “tedious” deemed, “pet peeves”spouting unfinished soliloquies repeatedly...

“ Dismissed “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Dismissed in a single sentence very telling common sense lacking in hysterics said matter-of-factly sinking back asking, “What are the chances of dying in a painless manner?” barely beginning to count across sprawling stamping grounds flat footed and scowling feeling stubbornly human now moving rapidly through shortening shadows stroking still-sweaty necks having suffered extended hot spells attempting to distill the smells of dew-wet meadows ...

“ Too Perfect “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Too perfect next-time opportunities eyes moist but never really crying stars realigning heavy chested and leathery sordid confessions half sitting in bed being hardly mentioned like lowered heads with no sign of recognition whatsoever snorting from the bottom of the belly half-closed eyes of memory swelling crescendos stampeding horsemen as serious contenders being relieved of dullness bent over doubled descending hubbubs becoming snow covered ...

” Today “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Today was “keeper” day for the especially endangered on many many occasions after taking brief breaks feeling more and more estranged far and away lacking in training unconstraned deathbed behavior crowding to the table far from stable begging conversation concussed jarring monotony as orchestras stop waving balsa batons forming walled-in gossip fully allotted sparkling bay bodies ...

“ Elements “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Elements unity coherence amplification of ideas compare/contrast tensions between paragraphs as openings that command casual analysis with endings that clinch purpose and strategy alas anonymously like parts of speech left dangling “What’s in a name?” of dedicated practices bearing fresh-cut flowers as the antithesis of anguish empty pipes in bare hands ...

“ Deeply Split “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Deeply split fired up via a filibuster lifted up from mustering up huge turn outs and detailed accounts with good old-fashioned pizazz for our lives hereafter having had dramatically different, “ Now what’s? “ within performance demands while dialing back spam and needing to take a stand having wrung tears out of romance ravenous fans winning ‘Genius’ Grants broadcast within rarified air graying haired wearing glasses as seen on giant flat screens all in “Hi-D” projecting, “Now THIS is where it’s at!” ...

“ Upticking “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Upticking sweetly deliciously deemed perfect for picking with exceptional vigor yielding vibrant mixes orange skinned carving classics healthful greens used lavishly robust seasonings carefree zippy high yielding glossy leaved pinkish-red striping rapidly ripening being harvested fresh from the vine...

“ Manifested “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Manifested as breath on a spider’s thread ...

“ To Exist “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán To exist is to act within a vast vibratory expanse by standing for a form of action while embarking unattached acting charitably and without rancor taking a meditative stance undistracted simply chanting potently magically rhythmically breathing in and out luminous coiled powers synchronized shapes and shadows venerated primal sounds...

“ Making Peace with the World “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Making peace with the world via the lady at the tea table mother and baby only occasionally displayed in any case briefly engraved being painted from nature finally dedicated having integrated modern available data conveniently rearranged via the greatest of frameworks metropolises excavated accommodatingly sophisticated socio-political organizations sacrifice and meditation accompanied by recitations offering milk mixed with water in harmony with cosmic order found right outside your door feeling several degrees warmer golden biomorphic brushed oil ...

“ Right Outside “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Right outside inside and online like the earliest ripenings of pioneer varieties by balancing sweetness and acidity into especially stunning succulents within patio tubs as dance-card fun while saving your bread crumbs for the stuffing of queen limes with blush feasting on colors spending the summer with multitudes of others stating, “It would be ungracious to grumble” while exhibiting “strong lines and exquisite colors” curled thumbs being used to offer flowering gestures to deities as “subconsciousness seals” creating the “nectar of immortality” on the tip of a ring finger extending just above the left wrist generating perpetual existential bliss ...

“The Luminous Conduits” by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán The luminous conduits self-derived knowledge previously acquired as nonremembering of objects roughly corresponding to dissolving in the body temperatures dropping as seeds are harvested and propagated in the clefts of rocks by alpine gardeners yielding paradoxes from the prim and proper to suffering of hardship then left to the scholars throughout series of odd jobs while wearing the same old smock oblivious to mockery wavy blond avant-garde by proxy via the foreshortening of models having made rapid progress “During the Carnival” on stretched canvasses being painted in the open air...

“ Just As “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom- Mom Suzán Just as the unwise acts attached to action while still retaining a certain formality then reporting back as subject matters hoping to provide protections from the bad but not always in the full glare of being lifted divided and replanted in order to feel fully prepared to conforming to scale but looking rather bare then applying color to canvas sharing engaging in the far less spare therefore scanning the far-more daring ...

“ Desiring “ by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán Desiring to re-connect via creative expression far eclipsing personal perceptions in between the “whereas”and the “very” of the transcendental eternal self expressed as “spontaneous ecstasy” all at the outset of interceptions if only for thirty seconds going well beyond the senses reminiscencing above quoted texts like liberated adeptnesses over the millennia by way of extension via full-fledged spiritual adventureness absences of method clear minds left unaffected having been colored delicately as spritely and slender with mischievous expressiveness tender in temperament nymphs goddesses compact habit short stems vertical crevices spring gentians ...