Mother Prague/Matka Praha

I love Prague.  I have loved her since I first laid eyes on her in 1966.  Back then, her colors were muted in drab gray but her majesty and powerful energy could not be tamed.  I was lucky enough to have someone to guide me through this magnificent city and take me to places that were not available to the public.  This old man explained the architecture (which I did not know) in relation to the history (which I did know).  I felt that I had known Prague intimately for a long, long time - much longer than my 15 1/2 years. I still feel that way.

Now that she is struggling with the flooding, I am posting this as a tribute to her magnificence.   

photo taken by Paula Vedral

Mother Prague

Bewitched by your beauty

I lost my soul in your streets

Long ago and I return

To you periodically

To drink from your fountain

Of acrid remembrance

To feel the powerful

Grip of your outstretched arms

To hear the steady beating

Of your heart in sync with time

As it continues to pulse

Marching into new millennia

© Alice Vedral Rivera – 2007 – Czech Republic

Matka Praha

Okouzlená tvou krásou

Ztratila jsem duši už dávno

V ulicích tvých a vracím se

K tobě čas od času

Napít se z tvé studny

Trpkých vzpomínek

Ucítit tvou mocnou

Otevřenou náruč

Poslechnout si bití

Tvého srdce jak současně s časem

Stále pokračuje a dál

Pochoduje do nových století

© Alice Vedral Rivera – 2007 – Czech Republic