“I am born and raised in Warschau, Poland where I studied music. Amsterdam is the place I came to live the music. However, the music business is tough and after having been stolen so many times by managers I finally decided to go back to the basics. Playing music on the streets, not an easy way of making a living but at least I am in charge of my own destiny.”

Erin is a poet by topic, give her any topic and she will write you a poem about it. The price of the poem is based on how much you like your poem. I asked Erin what the weirdest topic she ever wrote about. She answered something about puppies and Fabric patterns.

I requested a poem about the Humans of Amsterdam.

Humans of Amsterdam

I worry for the humans—the everywhere humans, wading slowly through their pain, pleasure and suffering swimming through them freely, the eyes struggling to stay afloat.
But the Amsterdam humans are strong swimmers. They are equipped against their losses. They have left behind the old mistakes, the glossy skins of newborns, the heavy rocks of the gaudy rich.
A kind of ethereal wisdom. Gliding in wheels. Ready for a crisp wind. Catlike in a sharp sun. With spaciousness. Silvery and almost vegetable, like trees.
But where is the dirtiness, where is the bleeding heart? I think they miss it, feel it’s lack. Hungry for tragedy. Aching to open up time, those deep jaws, and dive into its red belly, behind beaded curtains, in a room of torn wall-paper, a piano with a few teeth missing. They have lost loss itself.
Not a going-somewhere people. A been somewhere people instead. Their eyes look backwards, into their minds. Wide distances. Mountains. Great heights to ponder. Now they ponder them

– Erin Lierl
August, 2013
Amsterdam.

“I came here 14 years ago from Cape Verde. I never wanted to leave but my father was determined. It hasn’t been easy to make friends and build a life here. I feel free in Amsterdam but I still miss my home country. ”
“What do you miss the most?”
“I miss the warmth and hospitality of my people.”

“Hi Humans, nice to meet you. My name is Chuck and I love to stroll around the fancy neighbourhoods of Amsterdam.”

Amsterdam Chique