Indonesian Beachcombing Pleasant Passtimes Poem by Terence George Craddock

beautiful scenic peaceful unpolluted
sand sea seabreeze sun shells starfish
not if strolling on polluted beaches

try strolling on the main public beach
at Pelebuhanratu amongst the local kids
seashells are among rarest collectables

collect not driftwood shells stones
but sharp nasty deadly used syringes
play what else does casual eyes spies?

a careful look hospital waste reveals
strewn near far at least 30 metres
in either direction for feet piercings

how many sharps are hidden sand baitings
for your pleasure quiet strolling pleasures
tide amassed a series of strung out bandages

catheters, saline drips, swabs, unused meds
are tidal game pieces doctors nurses tides
plays rolling up down sand danger ses shores

from where do they come into dump waters?
must be washed clear down river from fed hands
dumping medical garbage from hospital clinics

by staff too lazy to incinerate in safe furnaces
enter the twilight zone step on those needles
enter terror twilight zone of needing life meds

meds for life to keep alive sand needle stung bodies
too surreal to be true a pin prick infected life changes
authorities care not for kids playing on beach dangers?

garbabge is thrown everywhere spreads
and everywhere is everywhere indifference fears
no prosecutions no homicide restitutions


Copyright © Terence George Craddock