¡Sal Si Puedes!

In among streets called Dreams and Illusion,
there are alleys too narrow for the smallest car.
Some have names while others do not,
at least not on faded metal plates
attached to sand-stained stucco.

You can get lost in a small Spanish town,
where the names of cafés aren't those written
above the windows behind the terrace
where the blotchy northerners sit oblivious
to “amantes” meeting at “The Bullfighter's” or “Paco's”.

If you do wander where the English voice
causes stares and even expectoration in the street,
smile and say 'buen-as' like a local
and wave as if you know the person
or their second cousin at the library or council.

One of the snickets with no enamelled name,
will be called “¡Sal Si Puedes!”; Jorge will
tell you this with a snicker and a glance at Antonio
while you will laugh inside – because you really can
escape from their sad and secretive little pueblo.