ALTER EGO

On the day of the Bicentenary
Of the French Revolution
I swore allegiance to the Queen.
Since that ceremony...
In winter,
Wearing a knitted beanie
And a black fleecy tracksuit
I take my dingo for a walk.
In summer,
I select a specially designed
Anti-fly hat
With dangling champagne corks.

On Sundays, I take videos
Of black snakes and red backs
And if I am in luck
Am greeted by European wasps.



Adieu le Louvre, la Cathédrale St Jean,
Coco Chanel, Christian Dior,
Paul Bocuse, les steaks au poivre,
Les baguettes, le Beaujolais,
Le T.G.V. et le minitel.
Adieu la France!

I am no longer a decadent, debauched debonair.
No longer am I detested, despised, disenchanted.
I have become DISENFRENCHISED,
A devout Australian in the Pacific
Dedicated to Fair-Dinkumism.
I’ll never be deported.
For I’ve been dewogged.

© Copyright: Christiane Conesa-Bostock