Luanda

Step out
of the lobby
the four by four
the office double guarded double door
into the sun dust street.

Air and dust
traffic scraping wheel by wheel
peddlers peddling, beggars begging
matchstick kids tumbling, hobbling
calling mister money, mister money
No safety net in this obliterated city
A penny or a crust will do,
hunger has no dignity nor pity.

2003



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