Sunday 7 June 2015

A Snapshot of Aachen

Charlemagne's city – in full sun
Ancient Dom with stained glass new
Cafés over cobbles run
Luscious pastries in full view.

Cyclists, soldiers, Zimmer frames,
Ice-cream toting tourist horde
On all sides solid, German dames
Sit in shade, o'er coffee poured.

Asparagus peeled while you wait
Strawberry punnets piled up high
Excited guttural debate
As local shoppers wander by.

Modern shops down winding street,
Fashion in the heat sells well
Plaque for Granus tower discreet
Bronze figurines round city well.

Majestic town hall, grey as slate
Near Holy Roman Emperor's seat
Impressive statue, gold, ornate
Backcloth to lively bridal suite...

It's been a spa since Roman times
In history books we know it well
As a famous treaty here was signed
When it called itself Aix-la-Chapelle.

(c) Poet in the Woods 2015


1 comment:

  1. Ah, the place they brought the good news to. My favourite fritkot used to be on the big roundabout there. Mind you, that was long, long ago - before the motorway ws joined up and bypassed the place.

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