Prague-Berlin
31 October - 1 November 2023
Hospitality
On Lufthansa Air the steward proclaims “Ta da!” when he’s poured our tea.
Ritual selfie
A selfie for two
both begins and continues—
safely on our way.
2 November 2023
Architectural elements—Old Town, Prague
Rooftop spires aspire
in a medieval manner—
from Republic Square.
Cobblestones
Instead of cement,
cobblestones and granite slabs—
for every walk and lane.
Graffiti on the John Lennon Wall
Imagining here,
they couldn’t suppress feelings—
hope, love, and freedom.
Tycho Brahe’s Bones
His great mind is lost,
his fortitude depleted,
but he still inspires.
*
Since his bladder burst,
Tycho became a relic,
buried in the church.
4 November 2023
Old glass
Here when we say “old,”
we mean it’s centuries old—
not just seeming old.
5 November 2023
Reflections
In the bus window,
roadsigns, cubist cars, and bridge—
reflected on glass.
Děčin Castle
Above the flood line,
but not time’s depredations—
it’s still imposing.
6 November 2023
Fishing the Elbe
Fishing the Elbe
he casts across the water
reflecting fall leaves.
Dresden at night from the Elbe
More river than shore,
setting sun leaves city lights—
the old bridge spans time.
7 November 2023
The Chocolate Girl
The Holy Spirit
and water are free, but not
the chocolate girl.
Boatmen on the Elbe
They have a rough life
serving even fine women—
Watch out for the mud.
Rembrandt’s Saskia
Loving Saskia,
he gave her glistening pearls
and a red flower.
King Johann on a horse
Johann on a horse,
although he never rode one,
leads us to the bus.
Chariot of the opera
Metaphors are drugs.
Sculptors sculpting bronze in flight—
Wild rides with the gods.
9 November 2023
River boat stateroom
Accommodated
while boating down the Elbe—
beauty every day.
Pulpit, Town Church, Wittenberg
Tourists like us where
the Reformation began
replace believers.
Medieval Wittenberg
To flush their sewage,
they had fresh running water,
running out to the Elbe.
10 November 2023
Time Has Passed
At his Sanssouci,
although he’s been restored here,
no one winds his clocks.
The Muse of Sanssouci Palace
Frederick the Great
imagining he’s the muse—
teaches the cherubs.
