"Ode to Flight 007"

Prologue

in Podunkville they mope around

shuffle their feet and stomp the ground

until the parade begins

then in solemn procession

they march to the centre of the square

carrying banners and wearing signs around

their necks telling the world

we are too civilised

we barbers are too civilised

to slash a throat from ear to ear

and claim it was an accident

to say we slipped when someone said

you're shaving a communist

we nurses are too civilised

to give the wrong injection a lethal overdose

and claim we got confused

to say we must have been still in a state of shock

over the news about the plot to kill the Pope

we waiters and waitresses are too civilised

to mix rat poison with the salt and sprinkle it on the plate

and claim we went temporarily insane

to say we hope time will heal us so we can forgive and forget

but we are reminded every time we get on a plane

-- -- R U Outavit 9 / 1 / 1983