vienna, autumn ’06

in vienna’s grand embrace, she stood,
a lifetime’s wisdom, grace and good.
at sixty-three, about to retire,
she felt a mix of joy and dire.

the university of vienna, a sight to behold,
a haven of knowledge, stories untold.
energetic students filled the air,
with dreams and hopes, a world to dare.

she prepared her speech, advice to share,
to eager minds with futures bare.
career’s journey, a guiding light,
in this podium, she’d leave her might.

walking the corridors, she reminisced,
a journey through time, her mind persist.
comparing the trends, the old and new,
the years gone by, a thing or few.

low-rise jeans and thongs in view,
new trends that the young pursue.
ipod nanos played movies bright,
three-quarter pants, a stylish sight.

with liberal tan and school ties spun,
the world of youth in fashion’s fun.
she reminisced the days of old,
when trends were different, stories told.

but as she gazed upon the scene,
a bittersweet thought, a passing sheen.
her final hurrah, a moment’s hold,
in aida cafe, her heart consoled.

by singerstraße’s window, she sat,
a cappuccino, a moment that’s stat.
watching the world pass by in haste,
a silent sigh, a life embraced.

tourists strolled, the world went by,
in vienna’s charm, a gentle sigh.
and there, st. stephen’s cathedral rose,
its gothic beauty, history’s prose.

the final hurrah, she felt it near,
as retirement’s call grew clear.
the world’s vast stage, she’s played her part,
but now she wondered, where to start?

in st. stephen’s grandeur, she found,
a sense of awe, a soul unbound.
the world beyond, a blank slate,
what path to choose, what’s left to fate?

with every sip of cappuccino’s taste,
her heart embraced both joy and haste.
in vienna’s autumn’s golden view,
she pondered life, her dreams anew.

so what’s next, she asked the breeze,
in vienna’s heart, a silent tease.
the world may change, but in her soul,
a timeless spirit, strong and whole.

retirement’s door, a step she’ll take,
to new adventures, dreams awake.
in autumn’s grace, she’ll find her way,
in vienna’s heart, she’ll stay.