Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Shithole

[with apologies to Wallace Stevens]

1

As described in the medical
dictionary, the anus opens
to the rectum.

2

Tunnel through which feces
or excrement is discharged,
lined with squamous
epithelia.

3

Squamous, as in scaly and slick.
Gross bathroom tiles that haven’t
been cleaned in decades.

4

This portal, susceptible
to STD, HPV, and other
infections.

5

Infection as the process
of infecting or the state
of being infected.

6

In this case, spewing
from the top, tweeting
at 4 am most probably
from the toilet.

7

The toilet, a.k.a.
water closet, loo,
dunny, crapper, bog.
House of Office. Throne.

8

Check out the 1890 “Anti-
Immigration” political
cartoon by F. Victor Gillam.

9

Notice how it’s “European Garbage
Ships” dumping immigrants at
the foot of the Statue of Liberty?

10

Norway is part
of Europe,
isn’t it?

11

Congress of crows, warp
of crossbills. Deceit of lapwings.
Bird shit falling on our heads.

12

The mouth opens
in its terrible
pantomime of reason.

13

In this case:
as above,
so below.