Poem for Today

Pirate Taxi

.

Cars and vans

filled beyond capacity

with passengers,

who hunch themselves

in dark interiors,

only the white

teeth and laughing eyes

peering from within.

Twenty cents, five k’s

each way, six days!

Occasionally stopped by

uniformed rank,

driver and passengers

spilling out onto

the grass verges.

The driver grins and

lays the claim that,

“All are my relations!”

Twenty cents, five k’s

each way, six days!

Soon a short appearance

a Court appearance

a disproportionate fine,

perhaps a scribbled line

in tomorrow’s Herald,

so much free advertising.

Back today in business

of transporting the smiling teeth.

Twenty cents, five k’s

each way, six days!

© 1978 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh