Monday, 14 June 2021

A Snapshot of Bruges

Amid grey stones and ancient walls,

This bridal veil* of white now falls;

While undercover insects lurk

Encroaching on man’s handiwork

In this glossy mass of leaves,

Nature’s beauty blessed by bees.

 

Eternal Bruges; this bustling town

Devoid of tourists, long shut down

Now sees keen hordes invest the streets

In search of much-loved chocolate treats;

By train, by coach, on foot they come

By 10, the city’s overrun!

 

Once busy port, now peaceful pool,

Strolls past the Beguinage are cool

Here regal swans, both cob and pen,

Glide by, epitome of zen.

UNESCO jewel, now Belgium’s pride

Where old and new vie side-by-side.

 

Home to trading nations Europe-wide

Before Columbus sailed on tide

And silt its seaways put to sleep,

Bruges slumbered long; its role effete…

Post-Waterloo new travellers came

Encouraged, sans doute, by the train.

 

This warm June Nature holds its own

As plants as well as tourists roam

In bright profusion everywhere

Round palace, spire or canal stair.

Scenes picturesque in every street

All for your camera lens compete!


(c) Poet in the woods 2021



 


*Flowers over a Bridge in Bruges

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