We kept ourselves here

We kept our names to ourselves

No underground features retrieved

A notion to change

Built up and blown down before it hits

The realisation of the ship sinking

 

Ceremonies conducted under searchlight

Beams blind our young eyes

War-rooms full of smoke and mirrors

Story from the salesman:

‘People are the same,

‘All straight-backed, straight-edged, cases in hand’

 

We have sought an ulterior path

Over mountains and canyons

Maps spread flat on bare rock

Over cracks in the ground

Keep to the rock face, stare out to sea

Estuaries converge, mist swims on the ocean

 

Ships pass, to and fro

Crew oblivious

Mines sunken, satchel charges disposed

I take a Polaroid

All is grey and blurred

 

The sky translucent, now stranded above

Drifting, islands uncounted, flickering

Disappear and reappear

It is always dark, we return and report

Our findings to the others

 

The reflections, that return our gaze

In the mirror each day

Are beyond recognition

Behind, the walls dissolve all

No room to manoeuvre