After a We(a)k Long Thesis

An Episode

Then he came to the land of Nana (na,
Na!) and beached his ruddy ship.
Of the customs of the Nanas, their
Religion (dread idols), culture
(Zulu tents), peccadillo markets I
Cannot speak. My task: not what to say
But how. He rebuilt the rudder, rigged
Up the hull, and launched his skiff
Into the rolling waves, receding
From all their terrestrial signs.