Amsterdam Trip

The moment I arrived
I knew I had chosen a dive --

the smell of red roses
far from what I see this place poses 

at the Bulldog Hostel
vile stink is constant in my nostril

antiseptic and mold
a combo that can't be untold

mildew and grime
a better smell not hard to find

I can enjoy my stay
with my nose plugged for most of the day

and continue my great journey
knowing these smells won't land me in a gurney.

Ian Phillimore is a Vancouver writer who participates in Megaphone writing workshops at Onsite.