We Are Resolved

Sri Lanka is small
but the government
thinks big, always has;
since independence

its growth rate
in ministries and
delegations the envy
of Asia, and now

defeat of
the resolution
the charge of
52 valiant diplomats

whose arrack flows
in hospitality suites
at night, while
mornings are spent

chatting about contracts,
coal-fired plants,
fish meal, everything
as long as the other

party speaking
does the needful,
as we say
in our language,

to save the gentleman’s
agreement, the brilliant
and home-grown war
on terror strategy

and abstains, or much
better for later tabling
and closing of reports,
votes against.