The Wine, The Moon and one last Kiss

Bordallo (An Autobiography of an Afternoon, 2012) delivers romantic philosophy via an enchanting collection of poems and scenes.

Bordallo shows a fresh perspective on love and the struggles of humanity. His lilting tones induce the sensation of falling in love. The collection comprises three parts that take the reader on a date with two unnamed, would-be lovers. The characters share a philosophical conversation over a bottle of wine. When the woman asks, “What are you looking for?” the answer is thought-provoking and unconventional. The second part features a couple on the beach and another intimate conversation. The dialogue is equally pensive, and sometimes self-congratulatory, about seeing frustration as positive, even when left with empty arms. Scenes brim with vivid descriptions that describe the world through a different lens, giving the reader “gardens of sand” and a yellow sky at sunrise. Interspersed among the chatty date scenes are bits of poetry, meditations on romance, the moon, the feel of a kiss. The lyrical work dances on the page, although the images do not always succeed. Comparing eating a mango with making love feels amateurish, creating a disturbing bump in an otherwise romantic ride. An energetic tone replaces the intimate conversations in the final part of the book, as two friends vacation in Brazil and stop at a bar. Secondary characters get swept into each other on the dance floor. They may have fallen in love, if only for a moment. It’s a tale of savoring minutes and making the most of the days—both for lovers and friends.

Short and sweet; stuffed with emotion and original ideas.