I still remember her pinay almond eyes and peanut butter smile
even though she was a cracked nut.

I still remember chewing on her whiskey-sponged lips
her Koala cheeks and the Melbourne burn of her voice.

I still remember her throwing fits and things at me
we’ll chalk that up as the hazards of dating a Dominican woman.

I still remember her Grand Canyonized Salma Hayek thighs
as fat and meaty as her spicy Mexican tortas.

I still remember the coca leaf nature of her walk
and the precise coffee of her eyes that kept me up all night.

I still remember her catracha scent when escaping her man
just to lay the blue frosting of her clandestine mouth on mine.

I still remember her swiftly poetic like a Chico Barque song
the Brazilian beauty who netted in my heart a Pelé-size goal.

I still remember them.

In this life, I have seen the valley of broken dreams filled with the souls of taqueria entrepreneurs. I have seen gleaming grills, Hispanic frills, greasy thrills. I have seen spirit thrive in the eyes of men armed with bank loans and family recipes. I have eaten their food, delicious beyond necessity. I have experienced the magic of taquerias and restaurants.

And I have seen that magic die.

I've observed the life unfold, unfurl with a magic to behold. I have seen that magic served in a half-empty restaurant that Frontera has outsold. I have had the magic gone, replaced by payday lenders and takeout from Taiwan. I have seen empty storefronts and the straggling last days of taqueria entrepreneurs. And I grieve every time at the lost loans and lost hopes left behind. But tonight, there will be no grieving. Instead,

Let us eat magic in their memory, enjoy the grease that will surely send us to infirmaries. Let us celebrate the time they had, the tortas, tamales, and leftovers taken home in a bag. Let us celebrate the doomed Mexican restaurants.

Nós e a universo

O futuro será o que a mente pensa,
Procuro resposta ao meu passado,
Do meu interior rebuscado,
Acção e boa esperança….


Fecham-se janelas, portas se abrem,
Com boas razões e motivos,
Estradas direitas e por vezes tortas,
Pensamentos sempre positivos.


O ser humano se fustiga e consome,
As estrelas, as montanhas e o mar,
Sentem o seu próprio nome,
Nós somos navegadores  sem navegar….

Victor Marques

Esse amor tão Teu sempre generoso

Recordar-te meu querido Pai,
Teu sofrimento e tuas conquistas.
As preocupações mundanas,
Ver nascer nos campos bonitas açucenas.

Ligação terna e terrena se vê na morte,
Com muita ou pouca sorte,
Honestos conselhos sempre nobres,
Simpatia para ricos e pobres.

Teu lagar com suco espirituoso,
Amor sempre generoso.
Terra duriense escaldante,
Cepas direitas e tortas,
Horizonte tão distante,
Vinhas vivas e mortas…!

Pedrinha sobre pedrinha colocais,
Vinhedos e olivais.
Altares do Deus adornais,
Rolhas de bonitos sobreirais.

Victor Marques

Topolobampo, Xoco, Xoco River North,
Frontera Grill, Frontera Fresco, Fonda Frontera,
Tortas Frontera, Frontera Cocina,
Lena Brava, Cruz Blanca,
Red O.

PBS specials, Michelin stars and public cooking demos
be ******,
that's too many, right?

Load up your guac with all the pork belly and pepitas
you want.
Star in a self-indulgent Lookingglass Theatre play.
Soak up the accolades of being a culinary genius
more than a Jalisco-style slow-braised goat
sits in its own juices.
But hey man, come on,
give us a break.

Me levanto sem hora marcada,
Colhendo uvas maduras
Pela natureza abençoada.
Deus no seu trono divino,
Amou o homem e o vinho.

Cepas tortas coloridas pelo tórrido sol doridas,
O homem labuta com destreza,
Vivendo com alegria e
Tristeza.

Passando pelo Douro com Deus imaculado,
Vejo o socalco consagrado.
Ama o mundo, o vinho,
Deus e o fado.

Victor Marques

Es este mismo el sol de ayer
o es otro el fuego de su fuego?

Cómo agradecer a las nubes
esa abundancia fugitiva?

De dónde viene el nubarrón
con sus sacos negros de llanto?

Dónde están los nombres aquellos
dulces como tortas de antaño?

Dónde se fueron las Donaldas,
las Clorindas, las Eduvigis?