Demetrius to Elizabeth

 

The donkeys of Hydra

are sure-footed, reliable

taking goods from the harbour

up steep cliffs to town

 

Kangaroos in Australia

will not carry loads

their convenient pockets

hold nothing but babies

 

These unlikely animals

at unbeatable speed

leap yards at a bound

but only on flats

 

Without animals to harness

or bear our loads

how can we farm?

 

We’ll get rich with children!

We’ll get rich with gold!

 

Virginia Lowe