Chilblained Poems | Examples

If Ever I Had a Country - Continued: Vii and Viii

IF EVER I HAD A COUNTRY…

                      VII

If ever I had a country
And if ever I were the Keeper of the keys to the Treasury
I'd invite all the tramps from every contree
To weigh with sunken eyes the lack of bullion for paper money
Into each tattered pocket drop slabs of gold to keep them company
During chilblained nights of growling intestinal acrimony
That is, if ever I were the Keeper of the keys to the Treasury
And even if I never had no country


		   VIII

If ever I had a country
And if ever I were cast in the role of the Night Soil Men
I'd make certain every caste citizen got a taste of it
No use pretending you don't know what I really mean
It's the stuff caste-men push down gullets with spicy relish
And let blast off galore trumpets and bassoons at full throttle
That is, if ever I were cast in the role of the Night Soil Men
And even if I never had no country

© T. Wignesan - Paris, 2018