By Joseph Woods

No sooner had the President been sworn in

when cholera stalked the high-density

neighbourhoods of the capital

and, with medieval aplomb

scythed a score and more.

An early act of grace by the President

was to pay passage for the former First Lady

and adversary, to attend her mother’s funeral.

Five-thousand air-miles in a private jet, whose luxury

she announced on return, had helped soften the blow.

In the burbs, the jacarandas arched to meet over avenues,

their purpling begun; snowfalls of sticky purple petals

while emerald-green verges glistened

to the furious flinching of water-sprinklers.