Saturday 26 December 2009

Tales of Christmas Eve in Vienna


Red And Gold Baubles
Somebody felt pity
and decorated a bare tree trunk
in the shade of St. Stephen's Cathedral

A Red Bow
a string of lights,
evergreen foliage of an ivy vine
against the black lenticels of white birch

Store Window Romance
A few early morning sun rays
lollygag on the shiny black lacquer
of a Thonet chair,
who in turn casts a longing glance
at the voluptuous hound's-tooth wing chair

Street Encounter
Out of the shady side
of Herrengasse street,
a red city bus reaches
sunny St. Michael's Square
under a sun-lit
Christmas chandelier

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Sing? Oh no, they are barely awake,
squinting in the bright morning sun,
resting on their perch high above Kohlmarkt,
sweetly humming.

The Christmas Tree
in the still shady passage way from
St. Michael's Square to Habsburgergasse
stretches its branches,
then decides to slumber on
for a few more precious minutes.

*

Photographed in the early morning hours
of the 24th of December in Vienna

Images and Text
© by Merisi

16 comments:

  1. You have been blessed with an artist's eye, Merisi! I love the things you show us -- the romantic chairs, the sunshine bus . . . lovely!

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  2. Thank you, Vicki! :-)

    In order to be able to shoot the chairs, I had to lean against the window glass, sideways. A pedestrian walking by could not keep himself from commenting, "That sure must be a great photo!" - I had to laugh, because I "see" when people stop to observe me, but this was the first time somebody actually commented.

    I wonder how many pictures are taken by tourists who observe me aiming at an object where they didn't notice anything "photo-worthy" before - and then begin shooting themselves enthusiastically. ;-)

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  3. lovely seasonal photographs a la Merisi eyeline. fabulous and keeps the spirit soaring!

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  4. I think I can smell the air in that last picture...

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  5. Liebe Merisi!
    Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie wunderschöne Weihnachtsfeiertage!

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  6. Christmas and New Year's Greetings!
    How lovely to visit elegant Vienna with you!

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  7. Liebe Merisi!

    Auch von mir die besten Weihnachtswünsche. Es war schön mit dir durch das adventliche Wien zu wandern.

    Liebe Grüße Ursl

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  8. my studio chair is lollygagging at your Thonet and would like very much to come to Vienna in my place.
    I got a Ticket to ride!

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  9. Gorgeous images, love the bit of light on the street photo with the bus and the angels 'humming'.
    20 years ago (on a very, very chilly day) we were in Vienna, and came upon the Mass at St. Stephen's on St. Stephen's day - an amazing experience. Outside, Romanian Dixiland band was celebrating the fall of Caeucsecu. A very memorable day.

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  10. PS - lucky turists to be following in your photo-prints...:)

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  11. I'll have to spend one Christmas in person in Vienna, one day.

    Paz

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  12. Merisi, every one of your December posts has helped this visitor to get a bit closer to a glowing Christmas spirit.

    I thank you so much for your generous gifts.

    I so hope that there are many others living in Vienna who appreciate the beauty and the special presence that you find with your eye and camera.

    xo

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  13. A wonderful composition!

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  14. Charming and beautiful glimpses. as always.

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  15. They look very large baubles on the bare tree trunk.

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