Great atmospheric poem, Arthur.  Some ideas in the
text below if you care to consider. cheers, cara

 --- Arthur <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >
>             Beginnings
>
>
>
> The impact of my sudden descent,
> ('descent' seems too literal here implying
'trajectory' and making this reader at least wonder
how (helicopter, balloon?) when I think you mean
'arrival''imposition' or maybe I'm totally wrong.)
> strums like a loosed bowstring
  (wonderful!)
>
> between masks of  politeness.
> (ditto!)
> I am made aware of what I am,
> (could be defter.  Active would be more potent eg
the masks make you more aware)
> untimely, unheralded and unwelcome,
>
> grinning like a pumpkin head
>
> over the high window sill.
>
> The proffered letter of explanation
>
> plucks a hum of curiosity
>
> from the somehow-from-nowhere crowd.
>
>
>
> We pick our way
>
> through thickets of diplomacy
>
> up to the Master's house,
>
> beyond the grassed depression
>
> of the missionary's grave,
>
> beyond the buttress roots of the banyan tree.
> (Well-composed stanza.  Does the last line add much:
it could be more atmospheric ending with'missionary's
grave')
>
>
> Set apart, silent,
>
> gilded with a fine light,
>
> the house bleaches
>
> and fades into the bush;
>
> an imperceptible reversion.
> (Again do you need this line if'imperceptible' how
have you perceived it?)
> Bougainvillea grapples with the veranda.
> (Beautiful picture and sounds)
>
>
> Alone, I explore.
>
>
>
> A convocation of geckoes
>
> debating a mouldering Faulkner
>
> on a bedside chair
>
> scutters away through slats of sunlight.
>
>  (Lovely!)
>
> The crickets rouse!
> (Doesn't work for me.  Sounds like 'rouse' needs an
object like 'themselves')
> A girl sandals modestly
>
> over the floor.
>
> Last night's rice
>
> with a plump mango,
>
> are placed on the table
>
> and covered with a cotton cloth.
>
> She departs, without words,
>
> leaving a smile,
>
> supple and shining,
>
> swinging in the air.
>
>
>
> A parrot loosens nali-nuts
>
> to patter through the canopy.
>
> Geckoes clock and chime.
> (We've had 'geckoes' once and this seems like such a
rich environment that you could perhaps introduce
something else)
> Time and a smile
>
> swing through the gloom.
>
>
>
> Two metal boxes that will not move;
>
> two smoke alarms, unopened;
>
> a pair of boots, much abused,
>
> greening with mildew;
>
> Sandburg's biography of Lincoln;
>
> a paper angel
>
> spins over a child's small bed-
>
> detritus of another life.
> (Somehow 'detritus' is a less vivid word than others
you use.  Perhaps it's been over-used by the
journalists)
> Finger-written in the floor,
>
> "Christian Masters 11.2.70";
>
> a vain strut of ego;
> (Perhaps as with 'detritus' and 'guttered' below)
> a candle that guttered in the gathering dark.
>
>
>
> The place is webbed and sullen;
>
> a cove where things conspire in silent lurk.
> (I think 'in silent lurk' could go)
>
>
> That smile shines yet.
>
> I put the mango aside for later,
>
> uncover the pearls of hospitable rice,
>
> brush away the instant choir of flies
>
> and eat.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

________________________________________________________________
Nokia 5510 looks weird sounds great.
Go to http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/nokia/ discover and win it!
The competition ends 16 th of December 2001.