ghost nation

dressed in shorts, t-shirt

not at all like a warrior

he stood on the bike path

legs braced, throwing arm

like a coiled spring

grunting, hissing, shuffling forward

ready to release his imaginary spear

whilst diners ate pizza on the grass

stealing furtive glances

or pretending not to see

until he stumbled amongst them

hand no longer gripping his weapon

but held out palm up for alms

where he was once able to hunt

then later came another

wavering between those ordering

those collecting, again

hand held out palm up

being politely told to queue

to exchange money for food

where once all had been shared

he turned away confused

both of them equally

phantom members of a ghost nation

one overwritten by time, out of place

existing out there as trace, echo

like the shadow of wallpaper under paint

a mark left in passing, a secret

a taboo

further down the foreshore

the women sat in circles

singing songs under the mangroves

where their grandmothers used to fish

waiting for their men

hunter gatherers

pizza in hand

to come home

© shaun patrick green 2018

Middle-Class-Straight-White Male for Sale.

This Middle-Class-Straight-White Male

Provides an opportunity for the canny investor

Looking toward the medium to long term,

With excellent potential for high returns.

Situated comfortably within

An inner-urban demographic

And sporting middle-of-the-road taste

In fashion, food and music,

Combined with a sense of manifest destiny,

This Middle-Class-Straight-White Male

Takes full advantage of all the perks

Of entitlement and privilege.

Along with a tasteful exterior renovation,

The interior has been extensively remodelled

To accommodate the views of women,

People of colour, the LBGTQI community

And the poor, with plenty of room left over

For feelings of self-satisfaction and superiority.

Smart use of apathy and indifference throughout

Have created a sense of light and space,

With the use of quality, locally-sourced fittings

Having the added bonus of guilt reduction.

While most sports can be blended seamlessly

Into the living environment, the best of the

Arts are also on show, though always understated,

Such that this Middle-Class-Straight-White Male

Is equally at home watching Friday night footy

Or Game of Thrones, provided the right amount

Of irony and condescension is on hand to keep their

Mass appeal in check.

Despite recent upheavals in the market,

Caused by #metoo and #blacklivesmatter,

This university educated, media-savvy

Middle-Class-Straight-White-Male

Has managed to hold its value

And still represents

A quality investment

For the discerning buying

Looking to make a statement

In these uncertain

Economic times.

© shaun patrick green 2018