Gas guzzlers queue up at the pumps to drink

Black blood - vampires of empire - and the host

Ensures the flow continues consistent,

Convenient, no matter what it takes.

‘Let’s fly to Newquay for a break!’ ‘Okay

Darling. We’ve seen New York. The UK’s such

An unusual choice. BA, Heathrow?’

The circling vultures wait their turn to land.

It’s getting colder or it’s heating up:

One or the other, no-one’s really sure.

We’ve had ice ages, jungles way up north.

Why worry over nothing? ‘Just fill up

Your glass and pass the cold Chilean. Plonk

It down next to the flown-in fair trade fruit.

Did you know Jesus thought the end was nigh?

Well how wrong can you be?’ ‘That loud guy’s off

His face again. Talking of faces, I

Believe they do transplants. I’ll buy you one

For our tenth anniversary, my dear.

You’ve had the boob job. I’ll still have affairs,

But I won’t feel quite so ashamed of you

When we entertain clients with a meal.’

‘In our democracy we get what we

Want. That’s freedom. Low taxes, high interest

Rates. And the poor kept out by gates. Drive round

With windows up. The tracksuits multiply.

Oh look! See that litter of babies there!

How cute. Don’t stare; the parents are vicious.’