Memorable Stuff I Read This Week

America’s political treatment of the climate crisis has, for some time, been divided, messy and somewhat dangerous. Now, it seems the culture wars have come for the issue, too.

While Donald Trump infamously called climate change a “hoax”, outright denial of global heating has taken a back seat for most Republicans ahead of November’s presidential election, with disdain instead poured upon an array of climate solutions.

— Oliver Milman / “Down to Earth” / The Guardian

Dementia’s wheeled to the window
for the fireworks, like boneless
Beanie Babies slumped in a rear windshield,
dreamers, no-timers, past time.

— Sarah Trudgeon / “In the Red”

But two facts are clear: it is impossible to understand the Cuban Revolution without understanding Miami, and it is impossible to understand Miami without understanding the Cuban Revolution.

— Ada Ferrer / Cuba: An American History

My mother says when she is anxious she finds a seam, 
finds stitches on her clothes, on furniture she’s near, always 
a verge has that feel, birch joints, wrinkles. It’s a relief
to think with the hands.

— Bradley Trumpfheller / “Loom”

We all dream of a greater America
I want you to be paid a living wage
live in affordable housing
without college debt
or medical debt
or credit card debt
or national debt
I want no more racism
I am speaking of a New America
I am part of New America
whether you like it or not
so join me, please

— Huascar Medina / “New American”

Hurricane Beryl, which slammed into Texas on Monday after wreaking havoc in the Caribbean, was supercharged by “absolutely crazy” ocean temperatures that are likely to fuel further violent storms in the coming months, scientists have warned.

— Oliver Milman / “Hurricane Beryl supercharged by ‘crazy’ ocean temperatures, experts say” / The Guardian

We comprehend it now this land is two lands
one triumphant bully one still hopeful America
Imagining amber waves of grain blowing in the wind
purple mountains and no homeless in America
Sometimes I still put my hand tenderly on my heart
somehow or other still carried away by America

— Alicia Ostriker / “Ghazal: America the Beautiful”

What I’m Listening To:

Hey
We’re boiling angels
Let’s kiss for hours
Equal power
Let’s make it art

— Wilco / “Annihilation”