Dear Blighty - A Poem by EM Duncan Lowery

Dear Blighty,
Finally I send word from camp
It’s been some time since I wrote
But time has flown in the forest
And the post box is somewhat remote

Well 18 of us gathered in Quito
Discussing our hopes and our fears
Counting our pills and our potions
And getting more jabs in our rears

Then onto a bus we all boarded
And a 2 day trip followed next
We tried to speak to the locals
But left them bemused, amused and perplexed

Arrival at Camp was a challenge
Humping our packs up a number of steps
But we soon settled down in our dorms
And were greeted by eager insects

A weeks training of science and duties
And some time to observe and to ponder
Dear Blighty don’t worry about safety
As we’re now all First Aid Responders

By week 2 we’d grown as a group
Bringing skills from our various Nations
Some cooks, musicians and writers
Others into Foreign Relations

So Blighty you may well be wondering
Who here is in charge of the show
Well bear with me for a moment
And I’ll explain the taxa below

The Kingdom is run by Karina
The boss in the camp, she’s the head
Inspiring us all for our TEFL
And getting some folk out of bed

Then Phylum is managed by Jon
Whose knowledge is essential to guide us
He needs those sharp eyes in the forest
As he’s not too keen on the spiders

The dwelling of class is for Matt
Who sprouted chops in week 2
Six legs or feathers, that’s his passion
And an unhealthy obsession with poo

Chris I’ve filed under Order
As intern he’s great to be with
As he spies all the frogs on our night walks
But it’s a shame he got rid of the quiff

In Family we find Andy and Hannah
All rounders, thrown into the mix
Night monkeys guaranteed with Andy
And Hannah she rocks at Benthics

Mauro, Flavio, Franklin and Juan
In Genus they naturally bed
But whoever taught them to goggle
Needs a damn good clip round the head

And me, well I guess I’m in Species
Just happy to be here at all
As I’m carrying a deep and dark secret
I haven’t learnt any frog calls

Well Dear Blighty the days march on by
And soon my trip will be over
I’ll leave with great friends and fond memories
And a lifetime’s fix of granola

Dear Blighty - A Poem by EM Duncan Lowery