The “guppy” is a blimp 208 feet long loaded with surveillance equipment---The annual operating cost for a border surveillance blimp (Tactical Aerostat System or TAS) is $5.3 million, according to U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar. This includes maintenance and upkeep, but Border Patrol agents actually operate the blimp and its surveillance equipment. The larger, more permanent TARS units can cost $8.9 million fully outfitted, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
That’s Indifference
This morning
Government Guppy
exposes himself
featureless pallid-white fish
afloat in cloudless blue sky.
Gas-filled balloon
tethered to earth.
Does he hear thoughts
with microwaves and sonar,
or see me with infrared,
or am I
an insignificant speck
in the dirt below?
Does he perceive my Dis-ease?
© 2025 Bruno Talerico
Stafford challenge.152-1/2 /365
One of two comparison/contrast poems.
Desert Dweller 