Munich was the revelation, a summer
day and sultry night spent on streets
full of girls.
Americans from Boston, all eyes,
all teeth and smiles, never knowing
the word ‘retreat’. But they froze
in the face of my voice, my accent
(and so what is that all about?). Not a word
to comprehend, though one
would understand my kiss.
Then we rose in circles of museums,
BMWs going back in time— looking
further out toward Alps, first glimpses of
Olympic legacies, where Bayern now
played in their blazing red. More
a work of art than a stadium; like
the girl at the counter, almost beyond
beauty, leaving me speechless
and sadly gawping. “What is this?”
I asked myself. “What are you
doing to me, this feeling?”
So typical of me, my mind going off
in tangents, to eastern philosophies
of afterlives and rebirth. Patience
has made her beautiful, patience
in forgotten pasts, risen up
into this image which attracts
without trying, like a baby or a kitten,
yet so deep, more profound.
I found myself smiling into
cobalt eyes, stuttering my worst
German words. And all the poor girl did
was blush
poem © copyright David F. Barker 2012
* inspired by a trip to Munich way back when
and Claudia’s fine prompt for dVerse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NIi-Q09gLs
Some favourite music for a hot sultry night…
The Elloe Recorder 
Brings to mind long gone days of previous Olympics and previous aspirations when we were all a lot younger! Thank you, DF!
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Patience
has made her beautiful, patience
in forgotten pasts, risen up
into this image which attracts
without trying, like a baby or a kitten,
yet so deep, more profound
haha so very nicely captured…and i know that feeling..and being struck speechless…smiles….
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I think I have had a few similar times in my life. Seeing someone you think is beautiful and feeling almost compelled to say something usually leaves you the laughing stock. However, that being said, I look back and feel worse about those I never said anything to than I ever have about actually doing it. Might have beens…
Scott
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This felt very tender & lovely….I must visit Germany one day 🙂
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Loved this–I was just in Munich 3 weeks ago—Lovely write!
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Much enjoyed. You set a beautiful mood (both in external and outer description.) We Americans a toothy bunch. k.
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I love this:
“But they froze
in the face of my voice, my accent
(and so what is that all about?). Not a word
to comprehend, though one
would understand my kiss.”
And the closing stanza. You made me smile. 🙂
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oh nice…this made me smile…munich is a wonderful city..have been there a couple of times..and i love that you talked in german to her…nice..
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Hi David
Lovely poem, I was in Munich in 1980 by train after being in Greece, it was just after a bombing and the Octoberfest was a bit gloomy, Rather right wing type of people there too. I also met American girls in the hotel runned by nuns I stayed in the Goethe strasse, they were French students at the Sorbonne in Paris, but couldn’t speak a word of French and all they were talking about was boyfriends and what they had written to them, lol but otherwise the city was fine 🙂 (I stayed away from the beer!)
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Beautiful and touching and I think I only wish I could say that I had such an experience! 🙂 I think there is something really tantalizing about interacting with people and language and culture when it’s up to you to find and establish meaning and relationships, whether temporary or with roots! This is a lovely view of Munich with a hint of adventure. I really liked the artist on the youtube. I will make a note. I love finding artists that ae entirely new to me! Debra
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Great story telling, with a masterful close.
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When I saw the title I thought of the ol’ drinking song I learned in German class:
In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus:
Eins, zwei, g’suffa!
And of the shock in the groin that I once saw a guy sustain in a cafeteria in North Carolina when he suddenly caught sight of a beautiful woman — obviously a stunningly physical experience.
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Beautiful 🙂
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a pleasure for the eyes to hold
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Wonderful reminiscing … witty and wistful … can feel the pangs of youth!
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