DOOLHOF

DOOLHOF

It's all just part of the fun, yes?

Look, here's the sign - 

Entrance to  the Wandering Courtyard. 

"Ahh, Visitor", it beckons

"Take a turn 

off the main street and it's ALL here -

Possibility (always bigger within than without)"

You find your key (and we all have one) that registers,

And enter. 

A sip of the wine, or two, or three, and then 

You're Off! 

Green and

A 

   m

      a

        z

          e

            (d),

Like a newborn calf

You wander

You wonder

You get cold water blasted up your skirt

while entranced by fountains  

gushing ART, TRUTH, and BEAUTY

(what a joke!)

and endlessly lost, in the moment - dolheid.

There is no retreat, no "backwards", 

only "on" to the denouement.

Blinded and bedraggled, only now are you allowed to see 

The MACHINERY, the clockwork of the gods

come to life (automata) spread before you

And for a moment, a glimpse of the Valley.

... they let you think you Know; 

before they push you out the exit and you're back on the avenue 

you entered

damp, hung over, 

and searching your pockets for the map to Main Street.  

https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/wonder-and-pleasure-in-the-oude-doolhof-of-amsterdam/