This is Probably the End

Blogger is updating its content policy effective December 16, 2026. Updates include prohibition of criminal acts and, while I don't think poetry about crime equals crime, The Five-Two's goal is to look unflinchingly at crime. The only way to do that is to mention crime fairly directly, maybe too directly for a Blogger blog.

Blogger allows artistic and entertainment portrayals, but what distinguishes crime poetry is its reality. I aimed to show crime as it is, what it genuinely brings out of poets, not to desensitize anyone by making it more entertaining, more palatable fiction.

As editor, I tried to keep the poetry non-graphic, but Blogger's content reviewers may disagree with where I draw the line. In fourteen years, I've received one notice of a post being put behind a senstive content warning, but I was unable to determine which post. I don't want to run into this problem with future posts.

I'm not seeking a more permissive platform. I've had my editorial say on all manner of crimes, and I don't feel the need to continue for my own gratification. That's why Blogger's policy change may be the best time to end.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to the site in any way. I need to accept five new submissions to make it to Monday, December 14. Send 'em. Let's go out with a bang.