The Tower

On the 44th floor of a three-cornered tower

in a city on the coast,

the mayor looks out over a shimmering sea.

He can see across to another shore

where another country begins,

where another mayor looks back across at him.

Sometimes he phones up the other mayor, but says nothing.

"I know it's you, you bastard," says the voice

on the other end of the line.

Each mayor imagines the devious machinations of the other

but the cities continue to trade the things they produce.

The coming and going of ships

marks the passing of time.

Then one day ...

The mayor's assistant stands at the window

looking through a pair of binoculars.

"Oh no!" he exclaims.

"What is it?" enquires the mayor.

"A new tower! They are building a taller tower!" he gasps,

turning to meet the glare of his boss.