Tourist Like The Termite Queen

I need cool. I need temperature control Thermoregulation is a must I manufacture my climate Like a spaceman. The fan whirrs round and round It mesmerizes. I lie spread-eagled On the cotton sheets shielded from flies, mosquitoes The teeming world outside Swarming and strident I have pills to calm me down, to sooth my aches I have pills to help me sleep, to keep me happy. I am sampling another culture Through pharmaceutical armor I dare not drink the water Eat the food I make small sallies out, not far from base Snatching tiny snapshots to digest Later, they’ll regurgitate as poems The fan whirrs round and round. It mesmerizes.