Ode to the Drag Queen in the Beauty Shop

I walked into your shop

with its brightly colored purple exterior

looking for a massage.

You were applying warm wax to

an old woman's upper lip;

distracting her with gossip while you

smeared and ripped,

smeared and ripped.

She must have been at least seventy.

I worried about her delicate skin,

and how that must feel at her age.

But she could not have cared less, and

instead laughed wildly at your story.

You paused for a moment and walked my way

swaying your hips, your big bundão

mini-skirt, short black hair, and lined-lips.

the fake nipples poking

through your tight sweater.

You, who are so proud.

A real show of your talents,

an expert at your craft.

Next time, I want my hair cut by you.

Arte

It's a very rainy Sunday. I've been in my pyjamas all day grading papers, doing my Portuguese homework, and watching this crazy storm on the couch by the window. I love having a balcony more than anything else about this apartment.

Here is some of the artwork I've bought since moving down here. Most of it is from Rio, but I have a few things from Salvador that I'm still deciding where to hang up. Yesterday Lisa and I took stuff to get framed at an art store near the convivencia, so I'll have two more sketches of gauchos I bought in Cordoba to add to the mix. I have no idea where I'm going to put them. I'm running out of wall space! oof.

made from a box of matches

I fell in love with the old man who painted this.

beads

my favorite one.

mercado municipal, Salvador

mini trees made from coffee beans, cinnamon, and seeds.

poetry books. 2 reais each in Salvador.

The best one is Meus Poemas de Saudade e Amor. muito romantico <3