Dusty pages, yellow

with lived lies

Mellow with conqueror's highs.

Eyes peer, age knighted,

Presbyopia for utopia

Of empire blighted.

Remembered tomes

dismembered

Return from tombs

to haunt and taunt.

Is the price too high

For your nostalgia?

Another's nausea?

Savour the flavour

Of book and curry,

Page turns,

You're back...

Passage to India

Burns.