From Freiburg on Schnellzug to Milano overnight

I want to see Alps she says, I want the snow-capped peaks

I want to be Hannibal and ride my elephant downhill!

Arise at dawn I say, in Leopardi's or better

in Homer's rose-fingered dawn

Even the Scnellzug tires and blisters from the hardening tracks

I insist on Theatro alla Scala, she insists AC Milan

We need to gather Verdi, I need the voice and pain

I flip the laptop on – listen to this!

What? She shrieks and what is that?

Callas you imbecile

Poor woman, what man made her do mess like that?

But Passepartout tonight there is a Durban homegirl singing

I do not do Hotnot Venuses she insists.

I want to see Balotelli's thighs in Berlusconiville

Then the border guards woke us up for passports or IDs

They homed in on me

It told you she says, shave the beard

Beard is one step down from Black.

The train shrieks to a halt

And we strut out

And spend the sunshine at the piazza by the Duomo sipping blood

Talking of Sforza and gargoyles

And wandering whether the Slovinian guide was right at the Venaculo

That there was a girl taking on Christ's last sup

At midnight at the station I was full of Verdi, slaves and Jews

Flying home on silver wings my thoughts, flying home

My dear Dead Christ of Brera.