BALLAD OF A SAD CAFÉ

In fact a bar. On a terrace in a Recife back street.
Stalking cabbies wait outside. In the well-lit shadows lurk
Ugly men and tropical girls, who sit next to the men
And wait. For the cultural exchange to be proposed.

The men are in groups and none are Brazilian. The girls all
Seem to know one another. They don’t drink. Baltic types, big
Moustaches, knock back shorts. When a deal’s done, the girl
Leads the way, taking an ugly man by the hand.

Nothing appears to be amiss. From the street it looks like
Just a bar. The staff wear logoed T-shirts. The air’s warm.
Everyone a winner and a loser in a place where
Dollars buy youth, and youth buys dollars. No strings attached -


recife 10.11.04