I Am the City...

A scene in Grândola, famous in Portugal for a song, "Grândola, Vila Morena/ Terra de Fraternidade/ O povo é quem mais ordena/ Dentro de ti ó cidade...", which was banned by Salazar's secret police, and played on the radio as a sign to begin the so-called Carnation Revolution. Loved the men all playing cards under the wisteria. I put it here because when I asked M, of all the places we'd visited these last couple of days, which he'd choose if he had to, he said this place... which is exactly what I would have said. We will see...

Poem today is by Charles Causley:

I am the great sun, but you do not see me,
             I am your husband, but you turn away.
I am the captive, but you do not free me,
             I am the captain you will not obey.

I am the truth, but you will not believe me,
             I am the city where you will not stay.
I am your wife, your child, but you will leave me,
             I am that God to whom you will not pray.

I am your counsel, but you do not hear me,
            I am your lover whom you will betray,
I am the victor, but you do not cheer me,
            I am the holy dove whom you will slay.

I am your life, but if you will not name me,
Seal up your soul with tears, and never blame me.

(Grândola, with translations in English, French, German and Polish)