Nobody buys food in Venice: there are no
Corner shops or supermarkets in the city.
Nor do people live here: go
To a doorway and you find only hotels. But pretty
Well the world is an artist, to judge at least
By the galleries and museums found at every turn.
Hardly moribund, each summer this carneval feast
Of non-physical nourishment must spurn
Its visitors for simple lack of space. Could
This be the sinking West’s future: to make
A glorious exhibition of itself? If so, we should
Not talk of loser or coloniser, since this is a game of take
And mutual take. Look at St Mark’s Square:
Half the Japanese nation is happy to be there.
Corner shops or supermarkets in the city.
Nor do people live here: go
To a doorway and you find only hotels. But pretty
Well the world is an artist, to judge at least
By the galleries and museums found at every turn.
Hardly moribund, each summer this carneval feast
Of non-physical nourishment must spurn
Its visitors for simple lack of space. Could
This be the sinking West’s future: to make
A glorious exhibition of itself? If so, we should
Not talk of loser or coloniser, since this is a game of take
And mutual take. Look at St Mark’s Square:
Half the Japanese nation is happy to be there.
(4.4.1997)
