More Contributors:

Olivia Cole

Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis

Oh, whoa whoa whoa!
The ho ho ho,
Of last Xmas

The bitter snow,
The frost,
All that money lost
In market compost!
I dream of a farm,
Somewhere warm,
With olive groves,
And tomato bread
with garlic cloves.

A hacienda tickled in sea breeze,
The afternoon under shaded trees.

I walk through terraces of vines,
Ancient earth tilled
under clear blue skies
By the fingers of sleeping Gods,
And dancing Señoritas.

Instead.
Back in the real world to dread…
Fickle politicians
And plebs.

Imperfections.
And infections.
A cough like an ape,
and work too late.

Gentlemen!
Fight back
Against the inevitable heart attack!
Less port and oyster,
Slow gin and bitter.

Shoot and fish,
Climb the Hindu Kish
And ride across Spain;
Ignore the rain.

Pass me my pick, George.
There are mountains to climb –
Not for us to whine.

They smile and walk on
towards the mist.

– Unknown Sherpa

Dr Franco Beretta

Dr Franco Beretta is the vice-president of the well-known firearms company Beretta – who famously made guns for James Bond. Beretta also specializes in lifestyle clothing and accessories. He contributed to issue 3 of Finch’s Quarterly Review.

Original articles on finchsquarterly.com by Dr Franco Beretta

	Beretta and Better
	10 February 2009
	Top gun Franco Beretta is fired up by enthusiasm for his family’s hunting heritage. …

The views expressed in Finch’s Quarterly Review are not necessarily those of the editorial team. The editorial team is not responsible or liable for text, pictures or illustrations, which remain the responsibility of the authors. Finch’s Quarterly Review is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed, translated or reproduced wholly or in part without witten permission.