birds of prey
‘i want to make love to you
i want to kiss you’
says the vulture as he preys
on a feathery creature
flown miles to be
in the cardboard city
to chase her dreams
it happens all the time
the vulture philosophies
jetlagged
an overseas flight
can be killing ‘ah i need
a massage’
they come with stars
in their eyes and we chew
their flesh in orgiastic delight
first at sly later with bravado
that’s the way it goes
and then they are dumped
their wings broken
feathers dust-beaten
mere carcasses scattered
on a nowhere highway
a one-way ticket
to the paradise lost
welcome to the theatre
PARADISO
playing field of the shining
and the debauch
where birds of prey
in safari suits call the shots
puffing their cigars
snacking fresh meat
a leg here and a breast there
can i now have some vodka
with tonic please
(15 March 2005)
