Extremadura

The sun rides high over Extremadura
Shadows are short and black – hard edged
The heat burns my calves

We’ve reached the top of town
Granite blocks either side
The sky teems with recklessness

Missssssssed you!
Missssssssed you!

Missssssssed!
Missssssssed!

Between the walls
swifts and swallows court disaster

The shuttered bar -
Was Javier threatened there?  

“Walls have ears, old man...”

These walls are old – Mediaeval, Arabic

Conquistadores left their mark
Renaissance balconies, porticos

Today’s heroes are the proveedores of jamón 
and tomatoes piled in boxes at the edge of town

An ancient Renault labours
Passing through the plaza
More a courtyard

The bell sounds in the tower

Across the square a table stands 
against a shaded wall
Seven stars above the open door

Two chairs and a sleeping cat

The shadow begins its traverse

“Beer?”

“Yeah”