Toulouse Snapshot

A loose tile

in the old street outside the window

clinks pleasingly

with each step of

the faithful and the curious

bound for a Medieval cathedral

blessed by UNESCO.

The echo remains

on a street so quiet

even rain showers

muffle to a mist,

punctuated only

by the metal click

of bike chain

pedaled by a young girl

in a hijab.

-

The pink hue of Toulouse

shimmers from terra cotta bricks,

building blocks for architecture

of splendid human-scale

proportions

hung with elaborate ironwork

like spiked jewels

on a dominant.

-

Tea shops and tabacs

patisseries and Ayurveda cliniques

cafes and restaurants

line stone boulevards

and ancient fortresses