In The Tropics (Habarana)

Left of the blue pool, the slat-bridge walkway Turtles rise in the lake like chocolate bubbles Bug-eyed froglets parp, Green knobs on flap jack lilies A chipmunk two tables along Dines off German pastry Elegant under a beautiful rose wood chair Not for him the village dust beside the tin-shed shop He’s tasted affluence and come to like it. Ants have sent out scouts to fetch supplies Mosquitoes kamikazi into a swat Killed at their moment of ecstasy, snuffed out to a red streak Maitre d’hote, a crow on the balcony In full evening dress Bows approvingly over the hot tureen. Left of the blue pool, a monitor lizard Is monitoring the proceedings. His pop-out tongue Like toast from a black toaster