March 31.2023

Old Town Prague

Winding streets twist and turn,

And often narrow to alleys.

Cars and clusters of Ubber electric scooters 

Line the cobbled streets and sidewalks.

The glorious facades of the five-story buildings are

A rainbow of pastel colours.

The exteriors of these upstairs apartments are 

Covered with embellishment, reminding me of wedding cakes.

Domes, towers, balconies and roofs are decorated with 

Stone sculptures, often of nearly naked men or women. 

At street level are cafes, pubs, hotels, bakeries, ATM’s,

Sprinkled in with brand name shops such as Hermes, Victorinox, Hugo Bosh.

In one shop window, a man in a dazzling, white shirt and immaculate black suit,

Uses a tiny brush to whisk away the dust in a jewelry display.

Outside in  the 10th-century main square,

Located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge, 

Giant rabbits and eggs are decorations for Easter.

Vendors cook hams, goulash and chimney cakes

On outdoor fires.

Some vendors sell baked goods, cheeses, and souvenirs.

An accordion and a bass player fill the square with music and dance.

While the spires of churches, palaces and government buildings

Catch the last of the day’s sun.