last i heard
she was running coke
for some club owner
in Rio
from São João de Meriti
to São Cristóvão and
up and down Copacabana
to pay for her penthouse
apartment in Ipanema
she was making good
money
enough to keep her in
Valentino, Chanel, Dior
and Balenciaga
a rooftop pool
and a house girl
to mix her cocktails
partying every night
tanning on the beach
a stone’s throw
from her building
last i heard
she was found shot
through the head
in the toilet
of a downtown bar
in Santa Teresa
her jewelry and
YSL bag untouched
i remember her in Roma
buying me a coffee
in the Antico Caffè Greco
on the Via dei Condotti
smiling and talking about
her Art
as we held hands
beneath the table
