Perchance to dream

I left my country long ago to live
in a land where the air is clean
the grass is green (what little there is)
the money obscene (for the chosen few)
where the boulevards are gleaming testaments
to the bulldozing prowess of the world's
most talented builders and a
million edifying structures
tower up and away towards a clear cerulean sky
making even a paltry sinner like myself believe
that heaven is in my grasp
and that all I have to do is jump off
this ninety-ninth floor ledge
and take the express elevator up
to the pearly gates
for a warm welcome
a complimentary "beverage"
and a plush suite in the VVIP section

I live close to my country
but they say it is as far removed
from anything there
as any place could possibly be
spiritually
demographically
topographically
intellectually ethically parenthetically
syntactically

I love my country
yes I do and keep
at all times
a piece of it in my pocket
and this I tell everyone I meet
and they ask

Is it a piece of earth
and I say
nay

Is it a piece of your flag
and I say
nay

Is it a piece of ass ha ha
and I say
nay

And they ask
is it a peace offering from an unrequited love
and I say
nay nay nay

And they give up after
a few more tries and beg me
to tell them what it is
or show them
and I say
no way Jose

They wouldn't believe me
if I told them and they couldn't
see it if I showed them
and nor would you
and nor could you

And anyway
if I took it out
it would dissipate
for a handful of air doesn't hang about too long
when exposed to alien elements

(minos - february 2007)