The writer in his Viking phase...

 

 A day at the Zoo

The bonobo scowled at me

he did not like me looking...

Who was zooming who?

I saw a wild animal

a 10 year old girl

throwing a tantrum on the ground

Poor polar bear

paced around and around

in the hot New Zealand sun

ice creams melted

‘Do not feed the animals’

but it’s OK to stuff yourself

The hippopotamus was the worst

annoyed by laughing watchers

he fanned his little tail

and sprayed shit everywhere

Lou Reed said it was a ‘Perfect Day’

But I saw something else

teasing, taunting

an expensive tour

for little children

and parents

who must endure.

 

You overestimate me too much

I have a yen for yen...

a trip to Japan

would fill my soul

with money with a little hole...

A hundred for a dollar

how would I keep count?

Looking for nirvana

While my expenses mount.

I shell out the folding paper

guessing at its worth

round the temple I go

kicking up the earth

A hundred Buddhas stare at me

with a golden smile

perhaps I’ll stay in Nippon-land

and chill out here in style

estimations an easy game

when none of it matters

I’ll go home to Aotearoa

and leave my dream in tatters.