Thursday 24 January 2013

250 Words: Durban

The lady in white sings the boys in and out of harbour; welcoming them to our city, telling them we want to give them one last taste of what they are fighting for.  To show how proud we are of them and the risk they are taking for the whole of the free world.  

She greets every ship with her voice and never misses a single one.  Reminding them of the civilisation they are will protect in the desert or the jungle.  She believes in the war and gives something to those who will man the front line thousands of miles away from this island of peace she represents.  She welcomes the men on their long voyage to relax and enjoy the delights of Durban.

***

She’s a siren, the first part of the charm offensive.  She sees only white faces, the potential for new seed to fill the streets.  Colour is the issue in these parts and keeping them separated into neat boxes of different sizes and quality.

The soldiers are told where they can go and who they can talk to, the colours they are able to mix with in a way that creates no spots.  Civilians welcome them with open arms inviting them to dinner: afterwards indirectly reading them the manifesto.  

The lady in white sings them out of harbour, into the Indian Ocean and over the horizon.  Filling their heads with her song as a reminder of Durban so that, if they survive, perhaps they might return.

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