The children

As if it is left to the dark

rain-glossed trees burdened

with bright ripe citrus

and the long-fingered kikuyu that prowls

the weathered board house

to do something

about the children.

Addressed to a can

O you can, can you,

with your modest

inscription of 4%,

play the surprised innocent

and deny your bullying?

A mere 330ml,

just a quiet companion

you claim, but when prowling

the town in your press-gang

dirty-dozen packs

can you deny messing

with our sons and our daughters

on these long testing nights?

The biggest people at the café this morning have the biggest plates

hash browns   eggs   mushrooms   bacon   muffins

at quarter to eleven

With only a latte to express my pleasure

I accuse myself of selective observation

apply blinkers and sip with regret