The Dolphins

Poet in Residence at The Dolphins! My heart swells with pride as I contemplate my appointment at the cool little coffeeshop just off the Leidseplein with the little room on the top floor of the building that's my very own space now until I leave for the States on June 27th-unless something goes wrong, of course, which is always a possibility on this miserable planet called Earth.

The Dolphins

I've known Rado 1, the proprietor of The Dolphins, for several years now, ever since I've known Jim Epstein. Jim always stays next door at the Hotel Golden Bear and hangs at the Dolphins. The shop had some trouble a couple of years ago and had to suspend its cannabis operations for a year or so, but that's over now and they're back and billing themselves as "the purest shop in Amsterdam." Rado is a really sweet cat who also serves the community by appearing at schools and youth groups to talk about drugs. We've always had a warm and friendly relationship and I've spent quite a few pleasant hours at The Dolphins over the years-especially that one year when they stayed open all night each night of the Cannabis Cup.

The Dolphins 2

But this is something else altogether: Poet in Residence! With my own room, complementary coffees in the café, and a permanent place to enjoy wireless internet service-an important requirement indeed. Now I can relax and enjoy, get some work done and rest easy at night. Like we say in New Orleans: "Yeah you rite!"