Episode 14 THE TIME TRAP
Trapped in the sequencing of time, poetry for now becomes poetry for when? I wait, sinking in the quicksand, of poetic inspiration about the Danube trip and our daughter’s wedding. The truth is poetic inspiration and words happen in a moment - which is “Poetry for Now”.
So I am going back in time to recreate the moments through my journals and photographs, reliving the scenes and times. These poems capture a few special experiences rather than being a travelogue of our 3 weeks through Europe.
WEDDING ON AMMERSEE
Sparkling couple
against brilliant blue sky
sparkling water
Loving parents
delighted friends.
A ceremony of delight and laughter
A resolution to live together
to share a vision and future
to support and love
whole heartedly
Exquisite wedding lunch
dishes that pleased the tastebuds
and the eyes
One would expect no less
from the two loving foodies.
Then the horses
Prima Rosa and Parodie
the horses and carriage
like love and marriage
to the wedding cake we go
more great food
Charades, Karaoke
laughter and music
May celebration and joy never end.
(Blue Danube Waltz)
SURREAL REALITY
6 days on the river
time drifts, floats, disappears.
gliding through Hungary and Austria,
Bratislava and Slovakia.
in Germany now.
In early morning mist
passing tall white columns
a greek revival building
Valhalla, the German hall of fame.
Under steel bridges
darker than the grey sky
passing idle barges
then neat family homes
grey, beige, yellow and white.
the onion topped church
meticulously painted
pale green and white
broad staircase leading into the river.
Every day landscapes shift
rolling hills and steep cliffs
fortresses and castles
churches and monasteries
forests and vineyards
Every inch of this land
has a story to tell
embroiled in centuries of wars
ruled by lords, kings and emperors.
Now all seems peaceful and quiet,
industrious religious people
who remember their mistakes
and say
never again!
never again!
SWEET DANUBE
Glide into Vienna
Sacher torte
Apple strudel.
Plod through Nuremberg
chewing Lebkuchen
honey, ginger, chocolate
perfectly combined
Under the Wertheim Castle
Onion Bread and grape juice
from the 8th generation bakery
On the river bike path
the beer garden delight
home made plum cake
energy boost coffee
And off we go.
THE JEWISH TOURS
This was the Jewish quarter
There is the plaque
There is a gravestone
High up in that wall
Their cemetery is gone.
That’s where the temple was
They were important people
Gone forever
Never again
PASSAU
Passau is a treat
Hearing the sound of ringing bells.
and the largest organ in the world.
The surprising glass museum
Artisans’ work from workshops
in Bavaria, Bohemia,
Austria and Silesia.
Full of unimaginable color and shapes
each period builds on the other
Baroque, Rococo, Empire,
Biedermeier, Historicism,
Art Nouveau,Art Déco.
We walked up the hill
the covered passage
pilgrims stopping and praying
to the church of st. Michaele
to the Mariahoff monastery.
there we looked down
seeing the whole town
unfolded below us,
surrounded by water
the Danube, Ins and Ils. rivers
swirl around and under bridges
before the next inevitable flood.
HIGH POINT
Floating still and silent
im watching the moons reflection
drifting in out of morning mist
passing barges and boats are gliding
with bright lights blinding
still we are waiting
motionless.
Are we waiting for the moment?
or is the captain snoozing?
Has the ship run out of gas
Like my pen out of ink?
Everything is alright
we move slowly ahead
as a wedge of swans
paddle past in the misty golden light
and the bright whit moon
slides down behind the tall oak trees.
Soon enough we arrive in Werzberg
breakfast on a Sunny day, clear blue sky
baroque churches, sumptuous palaces
.
Back on the river again
More locks lift us up and up
More towns to be seen
Ancient Regensberg
The musician on the roman bridge
happily at home in his van
free to play and live his dream
Reaching Nuremberg
Justice was completed here
The highest point of the river
before flowing down to the North Sea
To Amsterdam
©MartinStrasmore2021