Dispatches for the Colonial Office: Fear and Anger Down at the Post Office

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Lawrence Hall

Fear and Anger Down at the Post Office

I wouldn’t mind running errands in town

If there were a town, but there isn’t

Only isolated remnants among the ruins

The tin-barn tattoo joint, gas stations, a vape shop

Sometimes in the post office a drunk sleeps on the floor

Beneath the table with a cheap pen on a chain

You can be fined for stealing that federal pen

But double-tap-bombing other nations is cool

Outside the post office loom larger signs:

VEHICLES AND THEIR

CONTENTS ARE SUBJECT

TO INSPECTION WHEN

ENTERING, LEAVING, OR

WHILE PARKED WITHIN

THIS RESTRICTED AREA.

ENTERING INTO THIS AREA

CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO

THE INSPECTION.

(39 C.F.R. PART 232.1 (b)(2)

And

U.S. PROPERTY

TRESPASSING

In a patriotic red, white and blue color scheme

With super-high testosterone levels

Once upon a time visiting the post office

For letters and newspapers and Christmas stamps

Did not make a government fearful of its people

Or a people fearful of their government

The drunk snores peacefully

Dispatches for the Colonial Office