Letter from Abroad

It's a squalid little town with a tenuous beauty

The cool wet mornings are so appealing

People waking up suddenly in the night

Very disappointed

At the water's edge fishermen smashing their boats -

taking nothing for granted

In a few hours the heat will hang over town as the

northeast monsoon comes roaring in

Can you feel it?

Afghanistan Afghanistan whatever happened to you

I don't really care but I thought I'd ask in case it

mattered to you - let me hear it

They're cutting their heads of in the soccer field

Stretching their necks in the goal

Taking them out in the elephant grass feeding them to the

hyena's

Don't you hear it

Everybody's lips are thin - eventually eyes are empty

This a letter from abroad life is cheaper back home

Let me hear it

You learn form novels living out there rainfall is

followed by thunder

You hear a man's voice soothing and calm - 'I understand

no problem'