The rumors- smoke and mirrors, suitcases of money, everything that makes a good story.
There is power in fear. Spread the rumors. Yes, they were rich men, senators, women with no names, big fish in a little pond. no real significance. AMCO salesmen.
Except- the villagers consumed the rumors like starving dogs. So they fed the dogs with rumors.
All the while pretending to be purebred leaders of the pack.
On the other side- the mongrel dogs. Drugs and deals, Squid Queens, death, death threats, more rumors, smoke and mirrors, dirty money, everything that makes a good story.
There is power in fear. Spread the rumors. Yes, there were crooked cops, politics, backroom deals, bad people, good people with bad histories, guilty, but at different levels, really no one was innocent.
Except- the children who were consumed and grew up to be dogs. Some stories aren’t worth being told.
Rumors
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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