Petrol for Sex

Petrol for Sex

Her body moves in rhythm to his thrusts.
Eyes closed, she’s in another world,
unaware of what is happening to her.
Twelve years old, a child –
the focus of his warped desires.
Should be in school, but it never was important,
even when she was aware.
No future here anyway. Why bother?

Finished, the old man pushes her aside.
She whimpers, and reaches out
for the can of petrol on the sand – her payment.
Dull eyes momentarily gleam
as she holds it to her face and inhales,
killing a few million more brain cells.
But she doesn’t know about that –
And he doesn’t care.



Written after seeing a “Lateline” programme on ABC TV about the predations of a paedophile in Mutitjulu (Ayers Rock Aboriginal community in the NT of Australia).