This is a walled city.

Its people have their own schools,

their own food flown in

to fill their own stores.

Once a month, children file

from their classes and clap

by Hangar 202 as home

is towed in from the Galaxies.

They have imported geography -

4th Avenue, 2nd Street West,

Main Street USA.

They have a theater, no theatre.

Even the hydrants

are from distant side- walks.

Are these the first settlers,

toe-hold for a colony?

Or is it a Masada,

besieged by barbarians

on the chalk plains of Berkshire;

a pill and prayer in every pocket.

• From Burning Babylon by Michael Symmons Roberts. Published by Jonathan Cape, price £8