Leopold’s Blues September 14, 2008
Posted by dexspace in dex's poems, poems inspired by Shantaram, Shantaram.Tags: blues, books, leopolds cafe mumbai, Poetry, Shantaram
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Leopold’s Blues
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C’mon now step in through the arches, from Causeway
Watch the turbulent waves, as you sit on the sixty minute chairs
Inspect and suspect the images in the mirrors, they say
Elite residents and their paid girlfriends going up the stairs.
See the gorgeous abundant display of fruits, and the colourful tiles
But don’t be mistaken by the lovely people, and their styles.
The cool breeze of the ocean might reduce you to temptation
Agree at the table but strictly step outside to exchange the goods
Making two ends meet will positively earn you a fraction
But beware to always understand yours and their moods.
Taxi drivers and cops tilt the mirror for a small doh
In the interest of the order, if not of the law.
The small Afghan, he ran the underground market in books
The market ain’t seen enough blood, so there will be more
The small Afghan, he shut all the chandu smoking nooks
‘Cuz the garad, it was fetching him a greater score.
It’s the business of big politics and the politics of big business
Noone can escape the slaughterhouse of big business.
Some men will settle on power, while others will say its sex-on-the-go
Practicality will say its money, innocent hearts will choose love
For the man on the run, the best thing in the world is the freedom to say NO
Slowly fading to black, the existence of the white dove.
She says its her favourite place on earth, to be treated like rubbish
The place they call Leopold’s, is for some an inevitable fetish.
-dex
I couldn’t help writing this poem after the lovely description by Lin of the same subject. I’ve even been to Leopold’s Cafe to see if it still matches up with what’s been said about it in the book. Totally phenomenal. For all Shantaram fans.
4 basic rules… July 15, 2008
Posted by dexspace in dex's poems, poems inspired by Shantaram.Tags: books, Poetry, prison
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Street Fighting Man
Rule no 1, my friend, is never look down,
stare right into his eyes with yours so brown.
The second rule says don’t ever walk backwards,
unless you wanna be cornered by those bastards.
Never forget to get a tad bit crazier than him,
and don’t mistake it for one even if it is a dream.
Lay down an escape route or the finishing move,
and save some fule for it, if tommorow you wana groove.
Every passing day is a lesson to learn,
when you’re street fighting… in the prison.
-dex
Lin is in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. Very hostile environment. But he’s experienced from a Melbourne Jail. He educates us on the 4 points to remember if you wana bout. Very well described episode where he beats the shit out of the coward bully, Rahul.
