People watching in Utrecht

Happy New Year! Here is a poem based on one of my favourite activities in a vibrant city like Utrecht: people-watching. You can discover a lot by paying attention to clothes, hearing the voices and walking styles of people passing by, and hearing conversations. This poem is based on those that sparked an idea or story in my mind in December. I recommend trying to create characters and stories from threads of conversations, some quirk on a person, or the look in someone’s eyes.

People watching
Why are you out on your own?
reflecting water on your lilac hair
quirky style, toothless smile
now don’t quit it, don’t get fair,
rolling around on your floor
like a puppet without cords
flickering lights, drunken talks
fragile being or evening feels,
fake smiles and greeting times
cold feet, late mornings, the real deal
always accompanied, never satisfied
run faster, climb higher, and drink another.

Bottle of wine on the countertop,
not a problem nor a job
just a way to unwind
after overanalysing time,
party goer, people knower
endless questionnaire
impossible to bear
not to me, not to them
keep me close, keep me warm
calming nature as your art 
sweet girl, don’t go rotten
hate you less, love you often.

Times, weary fines, black sky
alert your mum to keep an eye
on the quick change of your mind
mean caricatures plague your life
golden child, always refined
quick chit-chat, singing time,
god-knowing discipline
manual on being vile,
tell me two truths and one lie,
flickering lights as you rise,
your displacement amplified
don’t go blue, homesick guy.