Worshiping in red lights...

Many countries have such places. I live in Canada.  They do not exist. Not allowed by law.  And yet you can find ''agreable'' company on the Inertnet and ''companionship'' in a  matter of minutes.   PS:  I was once in Brussels near la Gare du Nord on my way to my hotel. As I passed in front of such a window and a fatigued woman still looking for trade, a muslim woman hidden under tons of black clothes and pushing a baby cart came the opposite way.  What a stunning contrast.  

Yes, that is definitely a stunning contrast for sure. I am a very sexual person and I can certainly appreciate someone's right to choose although I would not want to do it as a profession. It is the oldest profession as they say and it will happen whether illegal or not. Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

Really solid point of view story telling.
One always wonders about people that are sex workers.
To most probably something they are good at and are able to handle the taboo.  Less taboo in a place like Amsterdam.  But for young eyes to be exposed like that and with your own experiences front and center,another story.  You told this like a reporter, without bias.  A gritty human interest story without a happy ending  - no pun.  So much going on here, I commend you on what must have been a difficult write.

I really like what you said about telling it like a reporter. :) Like so much of my writing this one has more than one meaning, especially in relation to the author's note. In regards to sex workers I tried to capture that feeling of the environment especially from my perspective going over at a young age. In regards to other things without the context it is difficult to fully understand. I had to take my Mom to the emergency room on Friday and I guess it just brought some stuff up. It was not difficult to write, but in some ways it was hard to post. But that relates back to the other context.

hello beautiful Kristina I saw a documentary once on the way different parts of the world view prostitution and it was an odd thing in the more acceptable places the women genuinely enjoyed their profession it is an interesting thing if you're interested in the film it's call Whore's glory... very good...

I enjoyed this poem I would love to go there  💕

Hey crimsin, that sounds like a really interesting documentary. I will definitely look that up. If an adult chooses that and enjoys it I don't see any reason it shouldn't be allowed. I think there are many people that would choose that. I am really glad you enjoyed the poem. You should definitely go. It is a very interesting place. I miss Europe so much.

Interesting poem.  You got exposed to sex at young age.  Keep on writing you strong beautiful woman.

Thanks Francisco, yes a very young age. All of our experiences factor into who we are so I would like to think I made the best of it. Thanks for commenting.

You truly welcome.  You are strong brave woman to share this poem.

A very popular place for English Srag parties to go. Prostitution and access to weed in every coffee shop
Love and light
Ron xx

Yes, so many people there from all over the world. It's such an interesting place and a great place for stag parties I am sure. Weed and other stuff everywhere. My first visit was at very young age and I have been a lot of times over the years. The experience definitely evolved over time.

Hi KX,

I respect the right to choose your profession. As long as no one is getting hurt and it is mutual.
I just think the older you get it would be tiresome. You would have to be smart with your money in your
younger years so you won't have to rely on it when you are older. I think if it's your thing that is great - I just
worry about the other side - like if you feel you have no other choice. Being bankrupt emotionally I guess.
I think sex connects people on a primal spiritual level.
Having to do it all the time with strangers - I would think - make you numb after a while.
I agree with PS - you wrote this from a great perspective - not judgmental or bias.
Great piece!!

I love sex but I would never want to that as a profession. I think that would take the magic out of it although I respect someone's right to choose. If it is their choice. It is definitely a profession you would need to plan appropriately, I imagine you could make lots of money when younger but like you said as you get older you need to plan appropriately. Sex definitely connects people. Definitely agree with making you numb. I really appreciate you giving me your feedback Adelphina. I know this one was different for me.

I have my own stories, but those will wait.  
Way more often than not, I'd be the guy to give them my jacket and tell them let's go get a hamburger and a beer.  I love women,  but not exploiting them.
It's like shooting roadkill.  What's the point.

Awesome write. And the picture as well.  And I noticed which guys weren't even looking at her.  Art is art. I'm gonna look.

I can imagine, I would like to hear your stories. Some things just affect you in ways you don't even realize. I am really bad at sharing things that I think make me look weak or might change peoples opinion of me. And I always hear people say it's cathartic but I just feel stupid and stress out. I am much better at just keeping things in. Really I hardly say anything but I know what it means and that's enough. Perhaps this time I will learn and just not do that again. I suppose it will just get forgotten tomorrow anyway. Damn author's notes. This one would have been better without that I suppose.

Scooby, one main thing I finally learned after my approximately 157 years on earth, is be who you are.  Be that joy that the little tiny voice inside you tells you to be.  
And all the naysayers can go to hell.  
Vulnerability is not a weakness.  It's trust in being strong enough to be who you are inside, to let it be outside too.  You can always kick their teeth into their eyeballs, those who misjudge you.  

Trust yourself, let your thoughts fly.

First, I love that you call me Scooby. lol That's just great. Never post certain things after a very emotional week like mine I suppose. Live and learn. I guess I just needed that figurative slap. Thanks. ;)

euphonious....I love new words....I had not seen this form.

Context is everything.

Sweet. If I could teach you a new form I am pretty happy with that. :) Yes, context is everything sometimes. That's part of what I was trying to say in my previous reply. You said it much better, thank you. Seriously thinking for me it's best to not insert certain context and let you make what you will of the writing on it's own. It's easy to think someone will understand something that's not clear at all sometimes.

Dear K,

I’m quite certain I wouldn’t be adding anything that hasn’t  already been complimented on regarding this poem.  Seen through the eyes of curiosity you spoke your experience and truth. I honestly don’t know how to view the profession of sex workers so I’ll leave that alone. I was taken by your authors note. I am always enlightened and grateful by people who are brave enough to share what can be painful, scary and miserable. It offers so much to those who want to but can’t. In vulnerability there is strength. Might not always feel like it but… The fact is we’re all just trying to get by.  I did notice you mentioned a trip to the ER with your mom. I’m sorry to read this. I have you in my prayers. Xx H🌷

Yes, I suppose I am not really brave enough to share certain things because I will touch on something and then get myself worked up and anxious about doing that. I really don't why, I guess it's just a subconscious thing. Maybe I will be brave enough to share some deeper writing on that at some point but probably not. I am trying to learn my lesson already. lol I really appreciate the prayers. Friday was a long day/night but she is doing better at the moment. I have to take her to the oncologist tomorrow.

I few ideas that I could roll at your here but what sticks in my mind is who a society or a country perceives sex. For some it is a piece of living and children aren't not sequestered from it. Generally I don't think any society at this time embraces children engaging in it, but some countries don't try to keep them from the human body being displayed. Others try to restrict it, often with results that backfire.  
My professor at UCSB ended up testifying in front of Congress about the pornography and the adult's response. Even wrote a book about it. Not to get political but it was fascinating to see the research which contradicted the Reagan Administration's belief. Their belief that the world was coming to an end if prostitution and weed wasn't stopped didn't jibe with the research.

It is an interesting subject and so many things have changed through history. Prostitution is one thing but exploitation and abuse is another. The impact of the latter is somewhat what I was trying to say in my confusing way in my author's note. Certain things just make me close off and bringing them up I guess causes stress without me realizing it. Sex is everywhere, and many countries in Europe definitely embrace sharing things like nudity much less restricted than America and some other places. I don't see a problem with that at all. It's interesting to see America legalizing weed in recent times. Things will always evolve one way or another. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge as always Jazz. It's always interesting.

What the professor was in fact pinpointing is that it wasn't the exposure to sex which was the problem but rather the exposure to violence. This was about the same time it was found that at that time in history the most violent tv were not the cop movies or even the stories about war, but rather the cartoons. it was when the violence was matched with the pornography that the problems were seen. I was actually a participant on one of studies. (they didn't show us the violent material but rather a mildly erotic segment- I was a Communication major)

Well you just get more interesting by the minute Jazz. :)

People who know me, know I am definitely not a judgmental person. I do have a very curious nature though and it's easy to relate some things back to my own experiences. I know the subject of prostitution is one that many people have an opinion on. I don't really look at it as good or bad. Like most things there is a lot of grey area, a lot of reasons for it and also some very bad things that happen around it as well. In the end maybe having it legal with health checks and strong protections against trafficking and such is a better option though since it's going to happen anyway. I love that you find my wording clever, I know sometimes I can be confusing and state things in a different way. :p Thanks you for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot to me.

Raw and bold write Kristina... I lived in Europe for several years (in Germany) where prostitution was legal... also got to visit Amsterdam... there is a surrealness about the red light districts...

I am glad you found it raw and bold LDF. There is such a contrast between America and Europe. There are so many unique places and so much history. I definitely feel like I belong there and I miss it everyday. I want to see a castle when I drive down the road damnit. lol

There nothing like window shopping to satiate that hunger, to scratch that itch. The only question is if this one can go the distance, if this one is the one that likes your kind of darkness. Every place or should we say nearly every place has a place where you can stroll and window shop, and yes we have visited the Red Light District. But to visit the red light district versus these other places where you can stroll is like comparing an average restaurant to buffet. Tight work Lil X

So many windows so little time. :p Yes, the distance you will go certainly varies by person. Some people stay on the well trodden paths and others have that strong need to go off the beaten path exploring the darkness. I want to take someone with me off the beaten path and get lost in their darkness while they explore mine. Tourists in that passionate world that only we can create together getting all the frequent flyer miles. Love the tight work, thanks for stopping in and sharing with me.

I like the flow and how your thoughts laminate.  (Love the Amsterdam photo...I've been there many, many times...but would never risk taking a picture!)  -T

Why am I not surprised you have been there many many times Ted. I am really interested in all these adventures you have had and all the things you have done that you won't tell anyone 'else'. You know you want to spill. lol I would never take a picture either, I know that's a big no no and I can understand that. Of course in modern times you can't really stop people from taking photos although I remember a girl getting really mad at someone who was one time I was there. Like I said, I can understand that.

Dear K,
In the "bad old days", the ladies were run by the local mafia....when they caught someone taking photos, they'd throw the camera in the canal.  I used to know the 3 Canadian guys who owned "The Bulldog", the biggest hostel in The Dam.  (I've been there many times because it was Delta Airline's European Cargo Hub...I'm actually, I'm quite innocent!) :-)  Most of my stories haven't been told in a loooong time! :-)   -Ted

Lucky they did not throw them in the canal. I remember seeing The Bulldog, it would be interesting to own that. :p Ah, Delta - a lot of things make sense now. ;) "I'm quite innocent". lol - that's what they all say.

K,
I was with Delta for 2 decades, finishing as a Senior Cargo Planner.  They sent me to 9 different countries, each for extended periods of time. It was great fun (even though my ex-wife...who stayed at home...didn't put up with it for long).  LOL   I hope to be back in AMS sometime in the spring, without "work" as a pretense....why not, since I fly for free.? :-)
:-)   Ted

Fly for free.... I am so envious! That would be incredible.

K-  It's a privilege I've abused in the past and intend to abuse in the future! LOL.  (BTW, the perk applies to all the airlines in the "Alliance", not just Delta.)  It's how I can afford to take people with me....makes those trips more interesting, ya know? ;-)

Been to the red light district and I like how you portrayed it here, looks accurate.

So you know exactly what I am talking about then. I love that you could identify with my portrayal, I know everyone can have a different view of things. I suppose the seedy suits me so well. But I don't like standing in windows, just saying. :p

"It just seems lifeless, and yet somehow so full of life." I liked that line, as if it's sad and exciting at the same time. A place where anyone can live out the fantasies, for the right price and for a little while.

Great spill Kristina.

I was taken there many times over years and so these were only some of my feelings and experience. But I am glad you got the sad and exciting at the same time part. I definitely felt the electricity and excitement, the thrill of sex and drugs all around. And yet there was also this sad aspect that some were living out fantasies while for others intimacy just seemed completely lost. It's just a way to make money and live that perhaps robs you of the true enjoyment of sex. And I just cannot imagine being with that many people in a day or even much longer timeframe. Regardless of chemistry and physical attraction, I want to have a connection with someone.

I think about this sort of thing a lot in regards to all the homeless in my area, how did they end up here, why is no one helping them? One of my old friends was stationed in Germany and spent time in Amsterdam. He said his apartment there was haunted, ghost would beat on the walls, ceilings and floors and throw things around the room. He went with a red light prostitute whom, after their sex, lifted her leg and pissed 6 feet away into a big pot. Euphonious was a new one to me, I'll file that away lol.

This sheds light for me on a comfort with sex that is more european than American. I saw this movie a while back, guy with cancer gets frozen and revived in the future, in this vision of the future, people are members of sex groups, like any healthy physical activity, people are sexually active, educated and comfortable with their sexuality. That is a future that will likely come to pass. Science fiction is often a barometer for future science fact.

Your poem says a lot in its focused brevity, the contemplative voice touching into the circumstances that give rise to a life, the choices that make us who we are, the environments that shape our circumstances and choices, the simultaneous nature of things, the transactional nature of passion in prostitution and yet the razors edge of living in fucking and fighting to get by however a person can.

This really inspired a lot of streams of thought and a medley of emotions, I couldn't ask for more.

Yes, I have wondered the same about people's stories. Like those in Amsterdam, I know some do it by choice, others necessity, and others perhaps far worse reasons. Homelessness is very sad and so often they are mentally ill. Who wants to live like that. That's interesting about being haunted. I always wanted to stay in a haunted castle, I would love the spookiness of it. Wander the hallways at night looking for ghosts. ;) I cannot even begin to imagine being with so many different guys in a day. I love sex but that really does take the intimacy out of it. I just can't imagine it being like next... and about money. Oh hell yeah! if I taught you a new word then damn! I feel pretty damn good about that.

There is definitely a difference regarding comfort level with nudity and sex in Europe and America. Science Fiction is often a barometer for future science face, that's so true and has happened so often. I can definitely see something like that coming to pass. It's an interesting concept.

That is perfectly stated and really captures so much of what I was trying to say about the circumstances of life and contemplation of those circumstances that lead people to different places. As a kid it was a unique environment to take it all in and to consider all of those things.

I love that it inspired a lot of streams of thought and emotions. That's what writing is all about...

There definitely is a strong correlation between homelessness and mental illness, inability to function on a consistent daily basis, maintain employment, due to mental and emotional imbalances, the only way is down. These people are suffering but also desperate and possibly irrational, is why I don't approach them. Sometimes a person will ask me for a dollar or even a quarter, I'm told they make more pandering than a person at an hourly wage, but the issue for me is I can't be pulling out my wallet to hold it up to a total stranger, so I decline.

It seems cold rather than lifeless yet warm when you're inside. I know where you're coming from with this observational write. Superb! I can't wait for you to read my poem on Amsterdam when I post it! 😊

Ah, it's always warm inside when you come in from out of the cold. I am glad you could see where I was coming from and enjoyed the read Billy. Obviously you have been to Amsterdam then and have your own experiences. I am looking forward to reading your poem when you post it.

My recounted story only came about because you & I had a PM chat about it, so, thank you.