The Art of Tokhang

 

(After Elizabeth Bishop)

 

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The art of tokhang ain’t too hard to master;

Based on the list there’s a single intent:

User is pusher. Shoot! No other disaster.

 

Tag one every day, look for the goner;

Find shack and door, no wasted moment:

The art of tokhang ain’t too hard to master.

 

Quick, before midnight, call the photographers!

Corpse as nameless as where you’ve been sent,

Turn on the floodlights, headline disaster!

 

Tick one off, chase after the next.  All is easier.

By the bad smell of fear anger is swiftly spent.

The art of tokhang ain’t too hard to master.

 

Let them wail and curse, the louder the better.

Let all cringe and cower: that is our intent.

Drugs are evil. Use once or twice: disaster.

 

Thus raged and decreed our Great Leader.

Take no prisoners, is how this war is meant.

The art of tokhang ain’t too hard to master.

Show no mercy. Go spread disaster.

 

 

Marne Kilates

10 June 2017

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