What are We?

He faced
the place of assemble
and the conch
to his lips.

One had to sit
attracting all eyes
to the conch
all crouched
or squatted.

Now,
there's no water.
he shells are dry.
We need
those shelters
and go to the rocks.
The fire
is most important

we ought to die
before we let
the fire out.

His speech
was planned
point by point.

Hands
were reaching
for the conch
in the light
of the setting sun .
He held on
and leaped on the trunk.

Things
are
breaking up.
I don't understand why.

He looked beyond them,
at nothing
remembering the beastie,
the snake,
the fire,
the talk about fear.
He says the beast comes
out of the sea
or is it some sort of ghost.

He stops again.
The careful plan
battered and broken.

What are we?
Humans?
Animal?
Savages?
I was chosen
as chief.

There is no beast.
the rules
are the only
thing we've got.

Bollock to the rules,
if there is a beast
will hunt it.
We
are strong.

The sound of mock hunting
laughter,
and real terror
comes
from the beach.

Well be like animals
will never
be rescued
not
if I blow the conch.