Former Head of Security

 

The Major did not chat

but with a kiss on the cheek

marked each daily encounter.

 

Surely, we wondered if his temper made us safer:

motorcycles, rural landing strips,

Putumayo.

 

Charged as guard of a Colombian Vice-President,

a needless Doberman

where a Labrador could have barked.

 

The Major spoke

into his speech, closed

with the word Presidency,

 

then went to the cheese table for some cheese.

 

I sat next to him and was glad

that our first daily encounter

had already been had.

 

Written 2010

 

 

 

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