Category: Rituals

Change was coming
had come according to the politicians
came as a result of their prescience and policies.
Gone was the old economy
gone with the Ark – gone to the archive.
Exploitable,
extractable,
emitting. And dumb.
Smart was the future.
Think smart. Act smart. Work smart.
The smart economy –
Technology. Consultancy. Tourism.

Tourism a leisure package: not holiday.
A smart new smart resort – the future.
Jet ski
water ski
heli ski
paddle ski
ski ski.
Alpine walk, bush walk, river walk.
Mountain bike, forest bike, trails bike.
Spa, standard star, luxury spa, pamper spa.

A colleague went …. one of the first,
we were all curious – what did she do?
“ do?
You mean after the compulsory shag.”

It was quick and clean
the lock didn’t suffer
neatly decapitated … lying on the ground
the chain dangling
still swirling gently –
the bike gone.

The security man was weary
not interested
took no details – only a phone number
promised nothing. He kept his promise.

The policeman was cheerful
took lots of details,
my phone number
and
gave me a number – “ for your insurance company.”

What did I think it was worth?
Mountain bikes grow old so quickly
about $250 I guessed
“they probably sold for $100 in a bar ”
$50 thought the policeman – “a tab of meth.”

“ No, I’m really sorry, I can’t do that
Could you …..?

No, I’m simply not allowed to.
Would you …. ?

No, I’d really like to be able to help, but this is non-negotiable
Can you ….?

No, sometimes there’s a loophole … but not this time.
What if ….?

Hell, if I did that, they’d sting me up – by the testes
How about …?

Look, I’m sympathetic …. I bend the rules when I can
and if they can’t be bent … some flexing might be possible …
but this is watertight
I’ve heard …..?

Some things pass without being checked upstairs –
but this won’t – no way.
Is there ……?

No, no, please…. I’d lose my job
Are you able to ….?

NO, LISTEN, I JUST CAN’T DO IT
okay, okay don’t get shirty.”