Claudio’s father smashed his guitar
Over the back of a chair declaring
‘Now grow up and work for a living!’
Claudio clicked a spring in his knife
Reached up and severed his father’s ear –
For if he could not tell the work it took
Composing solos on a cheap guitar
He was a useless drunken bum –
Who had no ear for music
OSTIA
Kid you look dead good
But no-one kid
Looks too good dead
Think you have the smarts?
Silence is far smarter
Imagine that you’re minted?
Silence is a stronger breath-enhancer
Silence is the smarter part of valour
That is why I seem so drop-dead gorgeous
Bernard Saint
Illustration: Claire Palmer
.