Thinned, faded thongs were employed
to invent a path
   to reconnoiter terrain
as respectfully
   trod
as landmined farmers' plots
   one
tender step
   at
a time.

The shortest distance between two points being
                          through
the rioting gully.

The erratic thorned matting
   booby trapped
could ambush
    if
concentration
    was ...distractable.
So your... "hullo"
   was a horror
that
   splintered thought
left me
    tee-ter-ing
thong a-flap
  an olive-skinned girl

in a defenceless cotton skirt.

"Whatcha doen?" 

There you were
   flop of fringed mop
Mickey Mouse buttoned shorts
   impossibly perched
impishly pert
   on hunched palings
the illusive reclusive
   exclusive
Anglo boy.