The CRANE BIRDS of MONACO (Poem)

The crane is the most common bird in Monaco

The air in Monaco is always clean
Sometimes a raven can be seen

But the crane bird is everywhere
Buildings rising here and there

All the cranes bear the same name
From a family with great fame

They rule the skies of Monaco
Better to be their friend than their foe

In the distance is the palace
Where the Prince is pacing with malice

Another day another scandal
The priest shook his head and lit a candle

Who had leaked the dirt?
To cause the monarchy so much hurt

Who made the man with the crown
Look like such a clown?

Surrounded by the wrong men
Punished by a poison pen

Though he still has his crown
Many greet him with a hidden frown

In Monaco the cranes are everywhere
Buildings rising here and there

The Crane (bird)

J.B. Pastor & Fils

Dallas Crescent Court Hotel

DALLAS, TEXAS -- 1985-89: Luckily, a new hotel had opened-up in Dallas, and I was able to work some banquet shifts there. It was a 5 star hotel called The Crescent Court Hotel. The banquet manager, Jorge, had previously been an assistant banquet manager at the Anatole under Charles Lorenzi. Originally from Bolivia, Jorge was of medium build with wavy black hair—not bad for a man in his forties. However, his large black mustache and oversized oval head seemed slightly out of proportion with the rest of his body. Before a banquet, Jorge was always nervous and overly serious, but once dessert and coffee were served, he relaxed and became charming. As a banquet waiter, I earned excellent money, and the employee cafeteria food was surprisingly good. I was always grateful when Jorge invited me back for more shifts. The Crescent Court Hotel’s design and architecture exuded traditional European style, as did its upper management. The general manager, a Dutchman, and most of his staff, primar...

IN THE VILLAGE of MONACO

After arriving underground by train from Nice, I walked up the stairs, stepped into Monaco, and immediately noticed how clean the streets were. I looked up at the buildings and saw how perfectly maintained they were. Everything around me seemed new and fresh. As I walked, a Bentley passed me, followed by a Ferrari and Vespa scooters. Amazing. I was in a completely different world. Most people were well-dressed and I felt comfortable and safe everywhere. The closer I got to the casino area the more glamorous the architecture became, with French designer shops like Versace and Louis Vuitton lining the ground floors of modern, luxurious apartment buildings near the casino square in Monte Carlo. Monaco seemed too good to be true. Was it real? Was Monaco a real place or had I stumbled into a make-believe world, a kind of Disneyland for stylish adults? At times it felt unreal, as if I were dreaming. I thought of the French philosopher René Descartes who asked himself: “Is it possible t...

PROFESSOR PIM and the EVIL QUEEN of the NEVERLANDS (Poem)

"Mirror Mirror on the wall Who is the most popular of them all" "Professor Pim" the mirror said The man the Queen wanted dead The Queen hated Professor Pim For he had called her son dumb and dim With only a few days away Professor Pim would have a say The Queen's ministers had warned her The election was around the corner If Professor Pim would become the Prime Minister of the Neverlands He would hold her future in his hands Without a poison apple around A useful idiot had to be found The Queen's men found such a man And quickly drew up a plan Pim was ambushed in a parking lot He was shot, shot, shot Professor Pim was no more And the Queen found a new man to adore She named her favorite horse after him The man who had murdered Pim No politician thereafter made fun of the crown Because they all wanted to stick around And that's why they call it the Neverlands Because the people will never know their plans

Theo Bruinsma -- San Francisco

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