Beware the Smuggler

A delicious 1964 poem from Norman MacCaig (Poems of Norman MacCaig, 165), entitled “The Smuggler”:

Watch him when he opens
his bulging words—justice,
fraternity, freedom, internationalism, peace,
peace, peace. Make it your custom
to pay no heed
to his frank look, his visas, his stamps
and signatures. Make it
your duty to spread out their contents
in a clear light.

Nobody with such luggage
has nothing to declare.