The Narrow Streets of Amsterdam

You don't have to turn on the red light

"The Narrow Streets of Amsterdam"

 

The narrow streets of Amsterdam

Wind cleverly around the canals,

Those veins of the old city,

Carrying on their stones

The variety that makes the city what it is -

The green water flowing through

The gentleman's canal with its old houses,

The red light district with its sex dens,

Past coffee shop and hash bar and

Rijksmuseum's famous Night Watch -

Past me, walking slowly ahead,

Wanting to run off and lose myself in the city.

The narrow streets of Amsterdam

Offer a strange kind of salvation,

Freedom not in sex or hash or history

But freedom in one's mind

For the people here - and I mean not

The tourists with their French, English, German -

But the ones who make the city home

Seem to carry with them a sense of inner pride,

The diversity of the city reflected in their eyes.

The narrow streets of Amsterdam

Offer up a subtle promise to my heart,

"Return to us when you are ready to be free,

Return."

These narrow streets of Amsterdam

Could be home.

Reviews

[Tenten]

This is a beautiful piece that breathes life into the world. Your imagery is masterful in viewing this moment, time, a place. One of my favorites that you have created. This one speaks.

[Wildfleour]

Seems that you and I have traveled to many of the same places. I felt that freedom there that you speak of, but I was there so many years ago. It's nice to know that vibe still exists there.