Sidney Beck Poet Quatrain

Mustafa's Sidewalk Cafe

MUSTAFA’S   SIDEWALK  CAFÉ


Mustafa was pleased to welcome patrons who spoke English
From the nearby theatre where he had learned acting for a while.
He whispered  Russian  with his colonial accent, very British,
And a big, confidential, very African smile.

His grapes hung here as ours had over Lake Albert -
With hibiscus and dahlias impatiently pushing  aside the fence.
His shashlik was in Ugandan halal style, not like in the desert,
Melting on the tongue, almost before  you commenced.
 
No one could  listen or watch for secrets  in this busy spot -
Vendors shouted magazines and postcards in every tongue;
Traffic noise covered each hushed and heated thought;
Hot sunlight was dimmed for old and young. 

I wanted to caress afresh her bewitching smile
Her delightful eyelids of Chantilly lace :
And just enjoy beholding her for a while, 
Perfumed  with  Lake Albert’s hibiscus  scent trace.   


14  April   2021

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NOTE     Based on a real café in the city centre in St  Petersburg, Russia. 
             Lake Albert is a large lake in Uganda
             Chantilly Lace is perhaps the most delicate lace in the world

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