"A Tale of Granada" by Becky May

She'll catch a glimpse of herself in the glass,

realise she's beautiful

but know too that in her shadow a ragamuffin stray slinks

down littered streets.

Her favourite season is always the one to come,

Sierra, Playa.

And why not? Things go on as they always have.

The cacophonous voice you cannot ignore,

a parent giving advice you did not ask for and will not use

yet a lover too, sweet flamenco nothings at twilight,

a jasmine scented caress.

She gives you the intimacy of years, her discontent and her blue skied joy.

leads you along cypress paths

then trips you up on a cobble.

You question why you stay but she only shrugs,

offers the rivulet of her hand,

turns you towards some new splendour.

Becky May´s poetry and short fiction have been published in various literary magazines and anthologies, including Full House Literary, Ellipsiszine and Janus Literary. She currently lives in Granada and tweets at @beckymaywriter.