dropping through the aft hatch

you make your way forward

past a row of giant tubes

cables, pipes, vents, valves

that nourish the tubes’ deadly occupants

then down into a small compartment

jammed with electronic control systems and computers

this is where the boat’s awful cargo of missiles is controlled

and fired

if it comes to that

“that” being the end of the world as we made it

why? you ask

why this ultimate world threatening mexican stand off?

it was the only thing

that stood between you

and the gulag

1/1/19
Copyright Michael Douglas Scott