Not Shackleton

Which is sadder,
which more gallant?

A son left on a rock
with reef pigs?

A mother leaving
on a barge?

Flatlantis 2

A land lightly sketched
in pencil.
A drawing never shaded.
Lines to let the light through,
that’s all.

A dotted line.
A pattern never finished,
never used, never made.
To be erased
by the sea.

Flatlantis 1

A lifebelt of shells
a lei line of land
around a sea
within a sea.

Defined like Antarctica
by what it’s not
and hasn’t got (but hot).
No ribbons, no planes,
no travel lines, no whines.

Won't be bombed
won't be bought
won't be seized
won't be roused
will be drowned
tomorrow.

Jandals on the line

Going to Tokelau
you practise
wearing jandals.

Mine sport diamonds
(not) and a stiff
white sole.

Trip over mats.
Thump like a herd of piglets
on the stairs.

Geoff's patient stole
one yellow one
by mistake.