A NEW PUBLICATION:

MODERN WORKS 2020

by edenbray

.   .   .

BUDAPEST .. .

.

In walking of your sunny streets 

   I see your past is Prussian bled

And in your markets the abundance of paprika

   parcelled orange-red

For now we amble thoughtfully 

   as though the Danube’s greyish blue

Refuses now to conjure illustrations 

   brave Buda’ has alone lived through

.

A tale telt’ of twin cities and the blood 

   that runs betwixt the two, we view

When the Magyars paid full bounty 

   for their change of heart to prove

That honest endeavour of their wartime choosing

   offers not regret at losing

Except those citizens of Isaac’s birth 

   be left themselves to float the river bruising

.

And so, we know in full part the governments procedure

   in consequence of the union

Buda’ a champion of the people wed a prince 

   as full of zest, the fair and noble Pest’

Whose joining pledged the best of bridges

   parks and awnings would greet the morning

The lost position made of once fair Royal Budapest 

   adorned in purple with golden braid

.

At the time of our arrival we saw signs of peoples honest toil

   their patience in survival

Of opulence, decadence, royal scorn 

   where prince’s born, folks allegiances were torn

Much change affects us all, fair Buda-pest has often heard

   answered one too many calls

We found there now a younger tribe

   so dressed in black, a pack, attended by a vision

.

Within this grace of indecision 

   cultures meet in apprehension, the river flows through

A nation forced to start again, scars hardly cleft of pain

   mid brave Pest’s blackened fires

History cascaded, a furnace of desire since Atilla of the Hun

   it is time Budi’ had some fun

We waltzed the Blue Danube beneath the stars 

   midst a whirl of newborn entrepreneurs

.

Our ship of dreams nighttime cruiser, passed 

   beneath the Bridge of Chains, lights aflame

Drifting at its widest part so well situated

   this city deserves its youth to begin ingratiated

Fireworks on its hills – cakes, clusters, kamuro

   roman candle, spyder, chrysanthemum and fish

Crossroad to the east, gateway from the west

   a flower printed skirt, a buttoned tunic vest

.. .

                                                                                        edenbraytoday 16.11  

My Budapest Boots – sad boots and shoes at the quayside memorial

. .. be left themselves to float the river bruising ..