seen from a hilltop,
its user invisible,
a weighted fishing net cast
like a windmill in the mist
as in the advertising
for holidays among the Noble Savages
which might appeal
to the wealthy coal-baron or environmentalist,
but to the locals are
means to survive, and even
flourish
the cast net, ancient and
universal
cannot penetrate the fog of
romantic vision
that began in school for
those of a certain age
with pictures of leering
cannibals, campfires, and steamy rivers;
and lingers in every
outburst of national spleen at refugees,
and festers
in reams and reams of
orientalism
the cast net, cornucopia
and weapon
is the tool and symbol of
both rural colony and imperial
metropolis
wielded with retiarial dexterity by
truly Christian
fishers of men and women.
oh yes indeed - know that image of the cast net too well. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks Efi. A friend said she thought the ending was a bit clunky though.
ReplyDeletehmm, could be, Robbie, but sometimes 'clunky' works - the polemical tone can be a tough one for me. You've got me wondering how to do this! Keep it concise or go even further, over the top, clunky? Need some Christian dexterity?;)
ReplyDelete