The Allocco

Mago Chio
Thought he was famous
(That silly allocco
A fool
A madman
The peasants of Elba laughed)
He thought they were clapping,
(He was simply spirit rapping)
Cheering for the great Mago.
And so he bowed
His eyes darting
His mind dancing
From the highest rooftop,
To the lighthouse
He’d look down onto the ants.
Upon the highest walls
He’d write his name
In Big
Block letters
Brash and
Bold
Mago Chio
The bravest magician and
Thief you ever will behold!
(A petty thief
He wasn’t very good
Since before stealing
He’d broadcast himself
By blowing an old horn)
Misunderstood and mocked
The peasants humored him
Proclaimed him
Sharp not dull
Like a
Christ thorn.
Behold!
He said
After blowing his horn
I am Mago Chio
The greatest man ever born!
He wrote his name
On manors and on homes
Castles, fortresses
Brothels and
Schools
No wall was safe
Until his death.
But even now his name remains
Upon the Elban walls
The fool is famous
The madman is a myth
The island is his gravestone.

-Gregory Santos 2003