The Prime Minister had special affection for the United Nations
suspicion couldn’t decide if her humanitarianism was sincere
or hedge against voter rejection
an IOU or two in New York useful in bad times
jobs for the boys. Or girls.
Timing in politics, as elsewhere, is everything
unwanted refugees allow centre stage magnanimity.
Take more? Yes we can.
Cameras and Secretary General take note.
He fled Cambodia
when it was Kampuchea
spent years in a camp in Thailand
a tailor trying to find work – anything
I was a volunteer on a resettlement programme
trying to find fulfilment – anything.
I am shown a thick file
rejection letters
jobs he could do easily and well
he thinks it is his language.
Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry 