‘From a philatelic point of view North Korea has a lot to offer.’
When the lights all went out

The sales assistant turned to a torch.
A rust-coloured Antheraea pernyi

Flew into the spotlight.
Antheraea yamami glowed yellow

Beside the drab of Bombyx mori L.
Outside the buildings cast no shadows

And found no light.
Outside the workers made common cause

Amid the gloom.
Aetras artemis priced for airmail and out of reach

A silk-moth cocooned in the fold of a curtain.
By torchlight we trafficked

Foreign customers among the official stamps.
Until the power returned and the fluoros

Resumed their humming
And the Pyongyang Stamp Shop Lepidoptera

Flew into the trap of light.
Outside the city faded into murk

Why do the worst dictatorships have the most beautiful stamps?