The Ruba'Iyat of Creteil Lake - Part Twenty-Five

The Ruba’iyat of Créteil Lake – Part Twenty-Five The Chief Executive gone a day doubled back to Hexagon From Arcadian fields where old “friends” feasted the traditional bond Took one look at road map and declared an Etat d’urgence School boys and girls jumped up and down and gave thanks to High Heaven Léon Blum chicks on the way to lycée swooned at Robo-Cop feet While the Darling Dears in chador silk black looked daggers to greet All around at lunch break the Faithful assuaged hunger slaked thirst The mosque’s restaurant was caught short of green tea and couscous treat Far too grave a problem rose with the need for instant relief Spring stayed yet far away for wet winter to come to grief Leafy bushes still being scarce nor tree trunks of decent cover Long queues formed at public conveniences or where grows belief On the routes and roads shops hotels restaurants and gas stations Took a toll from urgent users of their private dire motions Though none could stop cirri of turds piling up on pavements Nor the armies of street vendors with pizzas in demi-portions From down the route the gypsy camp a pebble’s throw away Steamed sullen women and hapless children up and down the way Crying ZAKAT with extended hands from pilgrims come to pray While Robo-Cops exchanged places with a relief force in array © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014