I THINK THIS YEAR I'LL GO TO BRITISH HONDURAS

no more the same
old bathing resorts
my parents took me to
when I was a boy

its time to see
if jaguars and chicle gatherers
know more
than social workers
and employment agents

theres no use in being useful
except in that useless place
so im packing my pocket chess board
my code wheel
and the wrinkled photograph of my father
and im going to find out
once and for all
whether I have a home
in british honduras

if worst comes to worst
i can send myself a postcard
wish you were here
and introduce myself
to the sinister old man
at the other end of the bar
who sells
the one way ticket
to the interior
that is never advertised
but always available

 

by Arthur Oesterreicher

Questions or comments are welcome. Email the editor.

Copyright ©2000 by Big Step Down