EMERALDS

EMERALDS

(Colombia)

You demanded they remember you,

Peacemaker in a bloody green.

And certainly those jewels did belong to the nation,

But north of Bogota it was your world.

Mountains clothed in jungle

Whispered a conspiracy of forbidden wealth.

You would not share it. Your mind an only child’s. 

No compromise. You fought off

Conscience with hired guns, boys

From the district who loved you to death.

A favourite uncle, you slipped wads of pesos

To the cops and your politicos. Serrucho.

The final account showed thousands slaughtered

And your blushing bank... gratified. Not faltering

You arranged the verdict on yourself thus:

Diplomat, local hero, father to orphans.