queenstown was built on a coin toss and luck
an arrowtip of gold gilding the western shore
today rimmmed with resorts and fine outlooks
while across the lake a newer savvy tills the bank

we drive through with our private permit
to view the animals on deer park heights
at the pig pen there's a chance 
to buy a tin of feed for two dollars
it's a canny business model i muse 
(as eager porcine pitter patter to our feet
in hopes of sheep nuts to eat)
offloading your business cost to tourists 
pitstopping on hobbit film location trips

we wind further up where cynical motes recede
herds of deer and juvenile males gaze calmly
confident that the naughty goats 
with their reputation for kicking the tires
will test our mettle at the topmost pass

returning downhil past bison stag and alpaca
it's scenic and romantic till the exit gantry
draws attention to transaction costs

are all the livestock we've met liable to be ate 
some says our guide kath matter of fact 

i suffer a momentary sentimental pang
but confess it's gone by breakfast 
when i reach in the fridge 
for the ham