On the streets of Antwerp There are visible areas There are borders dividing Different ethnicities, Cultures and languages There are areas By income and colleges
There are also invisible areas Corners taken in by the homeless There's Antwerp's most famous Louis, alcoholic and ex-military Best known for saving two children And writing a book He said he never liked to live within 4 walls Making about €150 a day Sitting on Astrid Square Going on 30 years now
There's the Scottish poet Who spits rhymes Like they came off a conveyor He cited one for me once I regretted it instantly But at least I know now What rhymes with ***** He hangs around the Central Station And enjoys summer nights
There's Chippy the one with the dreads Hangs around the Cathedral And keeps an eye on the youth In good terms with the police he is No fights or broken bottles Where he roams Surrounded by the usual Gang Of surprisingly well kept Ladies and Gents With their trolleys and carts
There's the very skinny one Who once kept company To a friend of mine And exchaned his bike For a loaf of bread She smiled and told him To keep the bike and the bread He felt it was his job To protect her And guide her back home
Then there's "Santa" Not much known about him His spot is by Frituur N* 1 Best fries in the city He wears a kilt and a red jacket White beard and hair A shiny bald spot in the center of his head He speaks German loudly To everyone and anyone Bright red nose and square glasses
Now as I stroll about the streets I know where to expect to see them But to my surprise one day Santa was gone Had they taken him away? Did the City of Antwerp Reclaim their streets? Did he die in the winter cold? I put my pink glasses on and figured Maybe he went to get beer.
And then one day years later I spotted him... Yes it was him! He wore neat blue jeans And a purple well kept sweater Glasses with a modern green frame Hair and beard cut and brushed He walked with a quick pase Seemingly on his way back To Frituur N* 1 Roaring in German louder than ever! With a sting in my heart I watched him go back to his corner.