Drawn to the warmth of gold we reach Hawaii,
Tahiti, Treasure Island, Coromandel;
But first we land where there's no rivalry -
Where no-one qualified, with any class,
Would want to go.
Beheadings in the village square; lashings, gold,
And fly-blown meat. Cockroaches carpet the shower,
Scattered by naked bulb and feet; the sleep-denying
Malarial mosquitoes. Slaughterhouse shrieks erupt
From the traders' yard; last moments of panic,
Arterial spray.
Quieter, stunned, on a murmuring beach;
Bad dreams take a year to fade.
