In 2016, I travelled to Argentina and Chile to do research for my novel Dark Matters. One of the great things about travel is being immersed in a different environment. This one is part of Buenos Aires. The colours of the footpaths, the buildings and the decorated cows made me smile (the cow in the poem is the character Queenie from my book Cow). A simple joy, one we all need.
coloured footpaths welcome our feet
to these old streets vividly painted
they say its a camanita of lost loves
the corrugated iron walls
in bright colours will cheer you
along with the tango dancers
calling up memories as you eat
after lunch I stroll into an arte studio
and who do I meet but Queenie
who has taken off time from the exhibition
to hang cool with the residents of La Boca
they want me to teach yoga she says
the latest fashion to watch us animals
after whom most of the moves are named
sit comfortably bend your left leg under
your buttocks your right leg over your
left knee clasp the fingers of both hands
behind your back and sit in good posture
if you do it well you’ll look just like me
my feet take me back down the streets
of lost loves bright minds and new yoga
© Texts and photos, Susan Hawthorne 2016.
(Meet Mago Contributor) Susan Hawthorne