Monte Carlo

[dcmarti1]

From approximately 1987, when I was a "little" more loose with respect to form.

 

Monte Carlo

 

Only somewhat French as I recall,

with white yachts nodding approval.

Astonished, we felt so cosmopolitan

as we walked along the quay,

stopping for our first espresso.

We learned Cambio and Casino,

"une cafe avec creme et sucre",

and the majesty of trains.

An unpronounceable beauty

-his name was Claude, our waiter-

heralded a grey and pink sunset,

while maritime shadows slipped out to sea

like the beer he poured into glasses.

[Benjamin]

"Astonished, we felt so cosmopolitan

as we walked along the quay,"

It's amazing how one's senses are heightened by visits to exotic places that most people only dream about. Hope the bill for drinks didn't come as a shock.

[tonyv]

I like everything about this poem, from content to form. The setting, era, venue, title, mood -- all of it appeals to me to the max. I, too, very much liked the line Benjamin pointed out: "We felt so cosmopolitan." Hmmmm. Works. Or how 'bout "We were so so cosmopolitan"? That would work, too.

[dcmarti1]

"We were so" would work and I do like it, but I wanted to convey "We felt" or "thought we were".....At least we were not The Ugly Americans at the little waterside cafe. I was in the Navy then, all of 23. Sigh.

 

Man, that waiter was gorgeous. :)

 

Thank you, too, Benjamin. (No, the 2 beers apiece were not that much, haha.)

[dr_con]

Loved the mood, the feel- The sense of youth- Very much appreciated, and as a scorner of form;-) The pure intention was simply delicious!

 

Juris

[Gatekeeper]

The romance of travel! Enjoyed.

[Tinker]

Hi Marti, This is so casual and easy to read. You transport the reader to walk the quay with you. Nice.

 

~~Tink

[dcmarti1]

Thank you, Juris, Gate, & Tink. I am glad it was enjoyed. I was a bit reticent about posting this, since it is 26 years old. I can just remember writing it, back on the ship as we headed on to another port.

 

That sunset was beautiful.

[moonqueen]

This presented a clear depiction, to me, of a place I have never been, nor ever will be. It doesn't matter that it's old, it could have been written yesterday, no? I've read it several times and still enjoyed it, again.

[dcmarti1]

This presented a clear depiction, to me, of a place I have never been, nor ever will be. It doesn't matter that it's old, it could have been written yesterday, no? I've read it several times and still enjoyed it, again.

 

Saying you enjoyed it is a real compliment. Sometimes really personal poems are "hit or miss", even ones that are fairly innocuous. Thanks.