Waiting

sooner or later

the old man

who operates the toy-like drawbridge

in this gingerbread town

will peddle up on his bike

raise the bridge

and lower a tiny blue wooden shoe

on a fishing pole

so we can drop in a coin

and pass through

but until then

let’s tie up the boats

and crowd around a table

of fresh bread and sharp cheese

and raise our glasses

of genever and cold beer

to the sky

and to Pake and Beppe