Dance, Fernando,
the moon is on your back
all the ladies watch you
And you dance and they love you
Dance, Fernando,
your Kenyan bones
slicing cracks into the ground
and air rising into air
Dance, Fernando
for them and with them

Old dogs smile
young ones don't live here
old dogs are smart
have seen war, achieved honor
at times spring
brings playfulness into the heart
At the market—why do you scream?
I steal from you a raw heart

Dance, Fernando,
then the angry scream
from this generation's storekeeper
won't catch you.
Dance, Fernando,
then the prodding
caribinieri won't
grab your back.
Dance, Fernando
for us and with us

Old dogs smile
young ones don't live here
old dogs are smart
have seen war, achieved honor
In this town from the mask-maker
we can buy some new roles
In the marketplace, when he isn't looking
I steal a new heart.