CHAMBO

Ratty cat slept under elephant's ear
And the rising islands of mountains
And the falling night stars gave way
To doctor on the broken motor
And a da-dah of dawn birds waking
On the soundless salt-less lake

She cleaned baby with a scrap
From her mother's pink dress
Pink as the morning sand beside
His boat the fish boat she blessed
Carrying smuggled jars of diesel
Blessing them that carried them

A blessing from forgotten gods
That poured diamonds into the sea
Catching light as they noontide
Slipped through the nets of fishers
Nets of taxmen and of the sell-fish
Of chambo of bruises of the broken

Bottles of Malawi gin gin gin lime
Littering Uncle Charlie's Booze Den
High on Gold and promises of gold
High on shellfish parfum and anger
Making love on a fishmonger's floor
Love for only lovers make love