‘Without roots in the Mediterranean
You may never understand this word machismo
Inferring as it does an upright bearing
Shunning fall-down drunkenness in public
Bald men brawling in the street then pissing in the pool
Bawling after midnight ‘We are the Champions’
Machismo means a chivalry at all times to all ladies
Drunker than their menfolk so mislaying shoes and sundries
Not to swear on holy names when merely to lament
Misplacement of a latchkey or ‘deciding penalty’
Nor prelude to pronouncing loud political world views –
Machismo is to stoically endure
All unfortunate things and to endure
All European tourists to these islands’
.
Bernard Saint
Illustration: Claire Palmer
.