I think of the little café in Berlin
Where we breakfasted sitting outside
And the strolls that we took from our Danish hotel
With the icy canal as our guide.
Gelato in Italy, pea soup in Prague
And hot cocoa on cold Swedish streets,
The memories cropping unbidden and yet
Sweet and lovely, like welcoming treats.
My travel’s on hold but these flashes are proof
That experiences while you’re away
Make a lasting impression to savor and mull
When you’re stuck in a pandemic day.
Happy birthday
the morning started with a bang
four people breakfasted together on his birthday
it didn`t bode well.
The breakfast table was loaded with sweet things
He, a diabetic, could not eat, he had an apple.
Switched on the telly as mother and daughter
began fighting about forgotten things, he intertwined
when the mother cried, got her into bed for a rest
The flat fell broodingly silent.
When the fog lifted the protagonists made up and
sat talking about the restaurant they, with the man
who was eighty years old, should go.
The elderly man didn`t want to go but had no say
in the matter, they were going to take pictures
for the facebook.
The birthday boy drank coca cola zero and hoped
The party would be over soon he needed his afternoon nap.
A French Visit
Early they arrived, my relatives, unpacking of suitcases,
kissing, jubilation and breakfast, during which all the latest
family gossip was shared. Then they all went to the beach
leaving the house in utter chaos. When returning we had
prepared a buffet, they had brought their wine, the French
are skeptical to wine not made in their country… god, how
talked. I have a small house had to sleep in my study, got up
at four working, but I liked the silence of people at slumber.
About five there were stirrings, people going to the toilet
and murmur of voices, I went back to bed or on my sofa.
Woke up at ten, they had already breakfasted and ready to
leave, kidded me for sleeping so late. Then an intense late
talking, like everything had to be said and crammed into
a few minutes, good byes lots of kisses and the old house
settled back to its usual quietude.
As I tumble
I will stay the same;
I promise like the rainbow
not changing the rules
clean in the morning
breakfasted according to the laws of nature.
I won't look
that which is expected will come,
don't need to study it
will travel with my
head down letting
my body absorb the impact.