PACO IGNACIO TAIBO II

I’ve not read everyone
Some of the omissions are glaring
Dickens, for example

But I doubt there’s many writers
Who would have a journalist
Who is being hunted by assassins

In the heart of Mexico
Disguise themself
As a Hindu prince and rent a room

In the Hotel Regis under the name
Of Maharaja Singh Lai
From Kuala Lumpur, and sit

In plain sight, like
Manterola, the domino player
And crime reporter

Dressed in a brocaded shirt
And jewelled turban
Reading the morning papers

Hoping to expose the machinations
Of US oil companies who hoped
To overthrow the government

I’ve never finished
A single thing by Dickens
Whenever I start one

I think of pantomime
Or Harry Secombe, singing
In the musical of Oliver!