Saudade

I can't help but daydream in wanderlust
tiny white porcelain cups
dancing in rolling boiling water
ready to serve yet one more cafezinho
while I stroll through Cinelandia
like Veloso's estrangeiro
rediscovering Laranjeiras
wondering why Russo and Cazuza had to die.
Walk on the wide Ipanema sidewalks
all dressed in their black and white stones
snaking along the beach
feeling the cool air on my hair
mesmerized by the mermaid army
suntanning in colorful tiny kites
and listen to their voices
speaking that cat language
softly, like passionfruit raindrops
has always thrown me overboard
helplessly.

Suddenly 2010 can't come soon enough
stand guard in red and black
proudly at the Maracana
kneel before the Redeemer
and probably baptize the floor beneath me
this Country that is a big chunk of my heart
where I became a man
where I was humbled by it's beauty
and will forever remain a son.

One week in Rio
city of beauty and drums and Carnaval
I'll never forget the first one
when I was twelve
I must have liked something about
for I returned seven times
to feel my heart beaiting to samba
Then head north to Recife
to meet friends and brothers and sisters
lovers and witnesses
to the happiest days of my life
It's been 20 years
and with all honesty and my heart on my chest
it's just too much saudade
from all the eagles flying home
I wonder
is any of you afraid of not making it back?
We left Brazil once
and my heart made sure to let me know
through tears in iguacus
that I could never leave twice.

“Mandou me chamar eu vou...Pra Recife festejar..."