WHEN YOU WERE SOUND CHECKING:

News of another air disaster reaches paradise. Open mouthed at
the loss of yet more innocents. The dust, the heat, the sun,
on stage at the edge of the sea. Palm trees, swim-wear dancers
wave & smile. We pass bottled water, fresh tea, throat coat
& coffee, exchanging pleasantries & greetings with old friends.
Police pose for photographs, sheltering from the heat, truck
drivers shake our hands in the sanctuary of air conditioned
production offices fashioned from shipping containers. Lights
are programmed, sound system tweaked, new additions to the set
re-visited & run through. Gentle people going about their work
in fierce summer heat, everyone keeping their cool as we leave
feeling good about tonight. The news of this catastrophe,
the news, the news, the news, the families & friends of nearly
300.

(K)