SCIPPATORI

Man-bags borne upon the tourist wrist?
Accessorised by Gucci?   –   Si?
(You get the gist?) 
We give the wrist a twist in fist meantime our Vespa running
To scoot with loot more fleet than foot   –
Scippatori!

Our city is a history of sewers
Forebears found their exit underground
In days when petty crime to public Circus
Consigned our trembling carcasses First-House   –
Now we rev dark webs of alleyways
Only you the tourist seem surprised by
Scippatori! 

Cut-purse   Bag-snatch   Dipper
While you ‘see the sights’ we see a glimmer 
And Rolex rates you a crack with a rock
For a rock of crack and a recommissioned ‘shooter’
‘Addio bambino’ then   –   ‘Polizia’! ‘Rapido!’ –
Scippatori!

 

 

Bernard Saint
Illustration: Claire Palmer

 

 

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