One of the Locals - Clemens Starck

[Lawrence Robinson]

One of the Locals

Summer vacations, traveling with the family,
what bothered me
was being a tourist—I didn't like
being conspicuous, I wanted
to pass as one of the locals, to speak the local dialect
with no trace of an accent. Invisibility
was my ideal.
My secret ambition—to be a spy.

In fantasy, I would parachute
behind enemy lines,
and then—disguised, let's say, as the shy, unobtrusive
village chimney sweep—
engage in daring acts of sabotage.
Later, while being awarded the Croix de guerre,
I would modestly downplay my exploits,
crediting my fallen comrades.

As a matter of fact, my career in espionage
never really got off the ground,
although in practicing for it I learned
to be circumspect,
and of course to be always careful
in everything I say.

	- Clemens Starck