He buys the lovely stuff duty-free
as a diplomat. The spirits are sealed
in their bottles like genies in jars.
Bialoguski helps load up the car
and they’re away. The slosh and gurgle
inside the boxes tempts
Volodya: he liberates one
to drink as they drive round the pubs
where they offer bargains in booze.
The money makes firm wads
in their wallets. Volodya stows some near
his breast where its touch might be
a girl’s mouth. (Back in Canberra Dusya
will handle the Embassy’s books –
the Ambassador never need know).
Capitalism’s so easy.