Diplomatic Mission, Victor Osemeka (March 2026)

 

Diplomatic Mission

London. A pile of snow whitens the lawn,
fireplace sparks, dining glows. Mother 
doles from the aluminium pot which she swears 
was a gift from her mother who swears 
it was a gift from her mother. 
Bread, meatballs, hot stew, red wine. 
Soldiers murder for this, God knows, refugees kill for this. 
A picture sweeps across the screen, vanishes, 
sweeps full vision. We need no dictionary to 
understand what, who, or where. 
Mother continues to dole: Ham? Pork? Mutton? 
She placates, cajoles, pleads but 
in this house 
nobody is dining tonight.