We woke and felt the dark, its open mouth
in haste to swallow skins , bare bones and all .
We slept for ages on a plastic bench
at River Garden, tired, afraid and cold,
our bodies covered head to toes with mud.
In blind of angry night came sweet release
from jaws of death. We'd breasted torrent floods,
which swept us downstream, where crocodiles thrive,
escaped the storms at sea , survived the chase
of bloody haunts, mosquitoes' bites and shame
of staring crowds. Be gone you windy nights !
We yearn for home, a roof above our heads,
a fire for warmth , a bed to lay at night,
our life's secure. No more to roam life's seas!

~Agatha Lai~