European holiday part 1

[Achebe]

Americans, Americans everywhere
with their bright optimistic faces -
Mary and Paul from Wichita Falls
to Lou and Beth from Dallas -
You're from the big town, fellas -
then click click click at the grim statue 
of Pallas Athena.
Australians, Australians, everywhere -
a pair of six foot lasses 
(weaned on what amazons drink
'twixt swim and rugby classes),
Sydney girls, hook up with boys
from (of all places) Newcastle
and head to smoke filled coffee bars
to see the stars.
Meanwhile, Lars,
the silent Finn
thinks of something inscrutable,
at the next table.
Brit holidayers everywhere -
Sarah and Chris
from Shepherd's Bush, trundle their bundles
of fancy clothes
because you must dress well, Chris thinks,
if you plan to propose
on the Rialto bridge, with its delicate pinks
and whites, but really, no one cares
if you're proposing there, 
not even if you're Joe Pesci,
but for the illegal Bangladeshi
trying to sell you a rose.

[dukealien]

This is, indeed, a lot of fun.  Stereotypes?  If so, these are quality stereos.

Two observations:  first, the flower-seller is a stroke of genius.  Tourist?  Well, in a way...

Second, this could be from a few years back.  Haven't observed them today, but wouldn't American tourists, at least, be using their phones instead of cameras that make a shutter-click?  Some phones simulate that, of course, and the older tourists might still be using dedicated cameras - perhaps even with film!  (What's film?)  A niggle at most.

Most enjoyable.

[Achebe]

Thanks, Duke.
Apparently the default sound on iPhones is a 'click' when you press the shoot button. A lot of people never change those settings.

[Thunderembargo]

Americans, Americans everywhere
with their bright optimistic faces -
Mary and Paul from Wichita Falls
to Lou and Beth from Dallas -
You're from the big town, fellas -
then click click click at the grim statue 
of Pallas Athena.
Australians, Australians, everywhere -
a pair of six foot lasses 
(weaned on what amazons drink
'twixt swim and rugby classes),
Sydney girls, hook up with boys
from (of all places) Newcastle
and head to smoke filled coffee bars
to see the stars.
Meanwhile, Lars,
the silent Finn
thinks of something inscrutable,
at the next table.
Brit holidayers everywhere -
Sarah and Chris
from Shepherd's Bush, trundle their bundles
of fancy clothes
because you must dress well, Chris thinks,
if you plan to propose
on the Rialto bridge, with its delicate pinks
and whites, but really, no one cares
if you're proposing there, 
not even if you're Joe Pesci,
but for the illegal Bangladeshi
trying to sell you a rose.

Yes, this is an attractive poem.   A flash of revery, whimsy, serendipity and gleaming cheer.   Many thanks for holding and capturing the kinds of fleeting moments which are so difficult to capture and frame, precisely because they are generally so dowsed and under the spell of momentary carousing and drunkenness.   This was fresh and clear and bubbly.

[Lizzie]

The media is now corroborating your story....

Venice, Invaded by Tourists, Risks Becoming 'The Disneyland of the Sea.'

[nibbed]

Fun, indeed. Thank you Achebe.

I especially smiled at
a pair of six foot lasses 

(weaned on what amazons drink
'twixt swim and rugby classes),

much enjoyed!


nibbed