Cassandra's Processional

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Carbon emissions highest in 66 million years, since dinosaur age: image via Reuters World @ReutersWorld, 21 March 2016

The sire then shook the honours from his head

beneath the remembered or imagined foot lights 

where infant punks in buskins their tender voices try --

wonders of the 1965 Wellington stage! --

they had been accumulating there, wreathed 

with cobweb meanwhile, for nothing at all,

the whole minstrelsy kit

my warbling lute, the lute I whilom strung

when to King John of Portugal I sung,

for example. But now... damp brows

and oblivion in the potting shed.

 

     In your day, just saying

Ben Jonson appeared on stage in socks, understandably

distracted, my handsome thespian...

I know how he felt... total bunny rabbit to thy crimson satin 

all human things are subject to decay

     But thou

And thou -- the common fate of all things rare

maybe not so much, O sweet and fair.

How small a part of time we've shared really

when you come to think of it. 

One half century lost in the vastness, not so long.

Obscurity pretty much just happens to people

because the world is not charged up

with the grandeur of original dawg any more. 

Still something shines through, shook foil 

moments of slippage through the ooze

albeit within the larger web of emissions.

Thanks very much for that. It was awesome. 

But... is this it?

 

Michigan outlines Flint recovery plan: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 21 March 2016

The Airlander 10 airship, the world’s largest aircraft, is unveiled for the first time since being fully assembled at Cardington hanger in Bedfordshire. The 302ft long part plane, part airship was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft: photo by Chris Radburn/PA, 21 March 2016



The Airlander 10 airship, the world’s largest aircraft, is unveiled for the first time since being fully assembled at Cardington hanger in Bedfordshire. The 302ft long part plane, part airship was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft: photo by Chris Radburn/PA, 21 March 2016

Honour guards adjust their attire before a welcome ceremony for German President Joachim Gauck at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The German President is on a five-day state visit to China: photo by How Hwee Young/EPA, 21 March 2016

Honour guards adjust their attire before a welcome ceremony for German President Joachim Gauck at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The German President is on a five-day state visit to China: photo by How Hwee Young/EPA, 21 March 2016

At AIPAC 2016 Mr. Trump focused heavily on Iran, promising to dismantle the nuclear deal negotiated by President Obama, thwart what he described as Iran’s efforts to destabilize the Middle East, and punish Iran for testing ballistic missiles: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

At AIPAC 2016 Mr. Trump focused heavily on Iran, promising to dismantle the nuclear deal negotiated by President Obama, thwart what he described as Iran’s efforts to destabilize the Middle East, and punish Iran for testing ballistic missiles: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

Far more applause than boos for @realDonaldTrump at #AIPAC2016. Very few out of thousands have walked out so far.: image via Joel Griffith @joelgriffith, 21 March 2016

A lone protester was removed as he tried to approach the stage when Mr. Trump was speaking: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

A lone protester was removed as he tried to approach the stage when Mr. Trump was speaking: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

Mr. Trump spoke from prepared remarks: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

Mr. Trump spoke from prepared remarks: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

Hindu widows apply coloured powder to each other during Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple near New Delhi: photo by Manish Swarup/AP, 21 March 2016

Hindu widows apply coloured powder to each other during Holi celebrations at Gopinath temple near New Delhi: photo by Manish Swarup/AP, 21 March 2016

At AIPAC 2016 Mrs. Clinton took aim at Donald J. Trump for declaring recently that he would be “neutral” when it came to negotiating a peace accord between the Israelis and Palestinians.: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

At AIPAC 2016 Mrs. Clinton took aim at Donald J. Trump for declaring recently that he would be “neutral” when it came to negotiating a peace accord between the Israelis and Palestinians.: photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times, 21 March 2016

Hillary Clinton promises AIPAC 2016 she would stand unwaveringly with Israel: photo by Zach Gibson/The New York Times, 20 March 2016

 

Hillary Clinton promises AIPAC 2016 she would stand unwaveringly with Israel: photo by Zach Gibson/The New York Times, 20 March 2016

Hooded penitents from the “El beso de Judas” brotherhood walk to the church to take part in a traditional annual procession in Seville, Spain: photo by Daniel Hayduk/AFP, 21 March 2016



Hooded penitents from the “El beso de Judas” brotherhood walk to the church to take part in a traditional annual procession in Seville, Spain: photo by Daniel Hayduk/AFP, 21 March 2016

Pro Palestinian protest in front of @AIPAC2016 convention in DC. #FreePalestine @adri16: image via Viva la causa! 70 @torinoman, 20 March 2016

Marching towards the Convention Center to protest #AIPAC2016. Many in the crowd are here with @answercoalition: image via Julia Carmel @JuliaCarmel, 20 March 2016 Washington, DC
 

NOW: March is STRONG headed to confront #AIPAC2016! #SupportPalestineinDC2016: image via Mike Prysner @MikePrysner, 21 March 2016

An #AIPAC2016 delegate just assaulted @MikePrysner. I witnessed part of it. Cops did nothing.: image via Max Blumenthal @Max Blumenthal, 21 March 2016

So #AIPAC2016 attendees can see Israel through these virtual reality headsets. Do they have to go thru checkpoints?: image via Julia Carmel @JuliaCarmel, 20 March 2016 Washington, DC

Supporters of ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM – Party of the Revolution) celebrate in the streets in Stone Town, Zanzibar after the Zanzibar Electoral Commission announced that incumbent President Ali Mohamed Shein has won with over 90 percent the election re-run: photo by Daniel Hayduk/AFP, 21 March 2016



Supporters of ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM – Party of the Revolution) celebrate in the streets in Stone Town, Zanzibar after the Zanzibar Electoral Commission announced that incumbent President Ali Mohamed Shein has won with over 90 percent the election re-run: photo by Daniel Hayduk/AFP, 21 March 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raul Castro hold their first meeting in Havana on the second day of Obama’s visit to Cuba: photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters, 21 March 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raul Castro hold their first meeting in Havana on the second day of Obama’s visit to Cuba: photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters, 21 March 2016