The upper house appears
boisterous:
Chairs chiming as restless buttocks bully them.
The air is held uneasy; nasty noise:
Whistling whirling like sea storm.
All are seated; eyes soaked in fun,
Mouths moving; either chewing
Or congesting the already
Frustrated air with hooeys.
But one senator Badmus
Has his head down on the smooth table.
Perhaps dreaming of the next jeep
He must add to his convoy.
'Honourable senators, please we need
silence.'
Belled the clerk over the maze,
'Senator Bemin has a motion to raise.'
The noise soon subsides, seeing senator Bemin
Rising like a demon from the sea:
anger-soiled, hands and legs trembling, terrified,
Subdued under grave provocation.
'That man!' pointing to the sleeping
senator,
'Is not worthy to be called senator of
the federal republic.'
He eats up his own indignation
And regurgitates it;
now smeared with utter discontent.
'He's from my state. He has failed!'
He continues,
Unrepentant, teeth clenched like a woman in labour.
'He was elected to represent his district,
But he sleeps every day. He should be suspended!'
He sits, satisfaction-snowed.
Senator Lowe springs up,
With face smile-sheathed
As soon as the Senate Governor allows him.
'With respect, Senate Governor,
Let me second the motion.'
He romances his jaws with his left palm,
Pushing his right fist forward like a spear.
'In addition to what my honourable
colleague
has said, Badmus disturbs
us with his scaring snore.'
He let out a grin. Everybody joins.
'Just look at him snoring.
He has made here his bedroom.
I'm tempted to say he needs rest.
Let him go home and rest.'
'They're right!' the Upper House
Rumbles amid titters
As Lowe retires to his seat.
Now the Governor balances
His eye glasses on his age-creased face
As if he has been oblivious
Of the matter on ground;
But he can't deny moistening
His old face with smile all along.
'Before any action can be taken,
We must look into the matter properly.'
He glues his gaze on poor Badmus,
Snoring still; silenced by slumber.
'Wake him up if he
Has anything to say about this.'
Someone wakes Badmus who yawns peevishly.
He raises his head, agitated, shame-subdued.
'Senator Badmus.' Governor calls, 'What have you
To say about the raised motion?'
Badmus tinkles his lower jaw, in deep oblivion.
'I support the last speaker.'
He said at last as the House roars in laughter.
'Badmus…' Governor stutters, 'will you support
The motion for your exit from the house?'
