Observations from The Burma-Siam Railway: The secret diary of Dr Robert Hardie, 1942-45

 

The earth became a swamp

of sticky, very slippery black mud

when it rained. But the soil was rich,

with banana plantations and fruit trees.

Beyond the confines of the camp

 

a riot of vegetation: papayas,

pomegranates, guavas, mangos,

pumpkin plants and cucumbers.  

And spectacular butterflies;

in the skies kites, eagles, hawks,

 

falcons, hoopoes, mynahs.

An electric-green tree snake

with wicked, diamond-shaped head.

Early in the mornings gibbons

raised a hullabaloo in the hills.

 

And on Sundays in the distance

the bells of the Italian Mission.