In the whimsical drawers of a sad music box, br there was a picture with burnt brown edges, now missing. br br Abuela held a sceptre where her monkey perched. br She was four years old-poor, adamant queen br On the coast of Spain where monkeys were no rarity. br br At tea-time I asked her about the sceptre. br She told me the monkey had teeth, br Her fat fingers were bananas. br I remember her thick skin peeling.