Protest March. Poem by Michael Walker

It was time for my first demonstration,
in Palmerston North yesterday afternoon.
There was a protest against the Weapons Expo,
(NZ Defence Association Industry Forum)
to be held soon at at the Trust Arena.
I felt at home with the marchers in The Square,
and the placards, 'Whose streets? Our streets! '
'We are not disturbing the peace.'
I sensed no hostility in pedestrians
or the yellow-vested sunglasses police,
as we set off for Cuba Street
and paused to hear a brief speech:
' Palmerston North is a Peace City.'
We don't want Weapons Expo here, '
said a suave city councillor.
'Thank you all for being here from near and far'.


The march turned right into Pascal Street
and down to the Arena gates and more rhetoric.
I saw on one young man's polo shirt 'JFK'-
the president of peace except in Saigon maybe.
John Lennon's 'Give Peace A Chance' played loud
then 'Imagine', a call for freedom and peace.
I liked the lyrics, accompanied by piano chords.
And yes, there were free lunches for everyone.
'These are my kind of people', I thought,
ambling back in the provincial sunshine
to The Square.

- 30/31 October,2018.