Civilised Wilderness

by Elisabeth O'Neill

We took the same places
As our younger selves.
The changes ignored
By moving bodies
Beyond the glass walls
Stood with the verse
Between us
And the unaltered city.

Street performers
Displayed their feathers,
Crowns and anklets.
On any other rock
We would have stopped to dance.
Even the music,
Exotic in its step
With the air,
Was tempted by the static
Nature of our island.
The ink in the papers
Assures us with rumour;
The borders won’t shift.

Among the birds and us
A collar is arrogance.
Colour suggests
The intent of the bearer.
We are content with this.
We don’t threaten change
Or invite it.

This is life
At its most adequate.
Our bonds chafe
But mouths
Must be still.