Traffic Incident, Sri Lanka Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Madame, these three wheeled tuk-tuks
Should be banned!
Always in such a flurry!
Last trip, no kidding, one pulled out in front to overtake
Too late to brake (Family of five from the airport crammed inside)
Straight under a lorry’s wheels! Flat as an old tin lid!
Body parts everywhere. Road a river of blood
Everywhere, too much hurry!

There’s a fire ahead, we’ll drive around.
A motorbike in flames…a Honda pyre
Is that a boot I see? Don’t look! Don’t look!
Where are the ambulances and the police?
Not your concern, Madame, why spoil your holiday?
See…shop boys come with pails,
It’s not our worry