Befuddled villagers stare at the man wearing shiny boots.

Shiny says, “We need your land for a factory.”

“But we farm here,” says one.

“Oh, don’t worry. We’ll help you shift,” Shiny shines.

“But we farm here,” another trembling voice points out.

“Don’t believe a word they say,” snarls a politician. “The peanuts they spend on you will bring them billions. Join us instead, we’ll show you the right way”

“But we farm here,” the villagers repeat.

Building material keep arriving in trucks, tons of earth-swallowing cement. Brick-trees grow.

residents climb skywards
in condominiums
seeking safety
homeless
poisonous snakes

First published in haikuKATHA, Issue 22, 22 August, 2023