Ancient Masked Carnaval

15 March 2009
National Express Train to London King’s Cross

O,—they drink black coffee down in Cuba,
Though there's no lack of socialism,
It's more a gay conversational spark,
Lubricating words to flow wittily.

But once they had carnaval before Lent.
A sure knowledge that repentance & ash
Must come, made everyone put on false masks,—
Some with gaiety,—others piety.

There's virgins and whores ; angels and demons ;
There's monsters, and even long-drawn dragons ;
There's revelry, there's love and there's murder,—
There's everything condensed in a few days.

So Thespians let's be, and pick our true rôles,
For acting's the way to make destiny,—
Our plot and our life in our little time :
What other choice but carnaval full live ?

a.n., comment to recycle rhymes’ poem, “perseverance”, story id 2647159.