JANE BELFIELD

This poem by the late Jane Belfield - a journalist who did fine work in Papua New Guinea around the time of independence - was first published in PNG Attitude on 22 December 2007

'Tis the night before Christmas,
And all through the house
Little creatures are stirring -
From cockroach to mouse.

There are moths in the wardrobe
And fleas in the bed;
Angry ants in the breadbin;
Rabid rats in the shed.

There's a snake in the ivy
Outside the front door,
And redback and whitetail
Spiders galore.