Rambling on Ramblas
lives extinguished, spirits crushed
the swallows in tears.
‘We struck on Ramblas
died killing humanity’
peacocks mourn today
Starved to her death
Al-Qaswa Barcelona
the Prophet in tears.
Tag: Spain
This is pure cliché
This is pure cliché,
dappled wicker,
stone lit, shadows firm,
warmth of evening song,
comings and goings,
Spanish movements through the bar,
Bombay going down,
Schweppes on ice,
already a little pissed
– Martini Basarana Tanqueray
Ballantines Bacardi Beefeater
Jack Daniels Cointreau –
even the Cutty Sark is too much
now company’s gone
and “Prohibido Fumar” reigns
supreme behind the counter
– what price a coffee now?
[Galicia August 2010]
A moment
The coffee’s bitter here,
beans dark, roasted hard,
flavour for waking up
– I see Cezanne on the wall,
a fire extinguisher,
a smoke-free zone,
even water can’t soften the taste,
exploration calls,
echo of earlier conversation,
poplars wave, leaves flash,
sunlight shortening shadows
under apple trees.
A bronzed girl hangs her jacket
on the back of a chair.
(Galicia 6 August 2010)
I will drink sugar
I will drink sugar,
pour stars of glucose
onto a tea spoon,
sprinkle refined grains
on a surface of Galician
Espresso.
I will cherish the remainder
lingering in this sachet,
wet pad of forefinger
– licking softly –
before cleaning the counter.
I like to flick fallen sweet.
I will go back to my hotel room,
leave behind a night sky.
There’s Venus there,
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
reflected from sapphire bottle
Gin.
(August 2010)
____________________
Tomaré azúcar,
Echar estrellas de glucosa
A una cucharadita,
Espolvoreando granos refinados
En la superficie del café exprés
Gallego.
Gozaré del resto
Quedando en el sobre,
Almohadilla de dedo
-lamiendo suavemente-
Antes de limpiar la mesa
Me gusta chasquear dulce caído.
Regresaré a la habitación del hotel
Dejando el cielo de noche
Allí esta Venus allá,
Mercurio, Marte, Júpiter, Saturno
Reflejados en la botella de color zafiro
De Gin.
(Translation by a good friend who isn't a poet 2017)
From Bath to Cork with baby Grace 