I stood – surrounded by the

walking dead, hurrying, scurrying,

ashen faces of all tints who

sold their souls to our collective way.

I experienced a deficiency of life

consciousnesses caught in cold complacency

no isolated jaded tempers flicker to life

even the foliage is botched autumn fire.

I experienced an indulgence of life – once

teasing arguments slicing a voile Venice night

raucous Gibraltar monkeys in regal mayhem

inquisitive walnut eyes of Cypriot shop girls

I stand – surrounded by the

walking dead, rushing, scuttling

down the ashen city pavement

in a mad dash to a lacklustre nowhere.