A Love Letter to London

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan

(Busy road in London during traffic)

Dear London,

I am not sure how many have expressed feelings for you, but I was never confident enough to do until now. I wish I were brave, just like how your Celtic name Londinous describes you.

When I was a child, I became aware of the gorgeous beauty that you hold. I remember my early years when I spent singing the song, 'London bridge is falling down' like rhymes.

I have admired you from very far everyday. I might sound like a stalker, but I have secretly watched you on television and controlled my heart to stop beating so fast.

There were times when I felt jealous of people having their eyes on you. But who could I blame? You are one of the gems I wanted to treasure with my heart.

My heart always did a 360-degree cartwheel whenever I caught a glimpse of your beautiful ' Millennium Wheel.' I felt sparkles the moment when my eyes met with your gorgeous London Eye.

I love how you believe, "Love has no language". You are kind enough to speak more than 300 languages, yet you couldn't decipher the language of my heart.

I want to walk around the busy streets and get lost with you in Philpot Lane. And just like those two mice eating cheese, I wish we were tiny enough not to be seen by others. But this time, we wouldn't fight for the cheese sandwich but rather feed each other.

I remember my college days when I talked about your 'Phonebooth Stuffing' fad. Back in 1959, around the post-World War 2, you joined in this trend.

And now I want to be stuffed inside the phone booth with no one but you. We could talk, giggle and laugh without paying bills for the call.

We could spend our evening together by having a glass of Gin. But don't worry, I won't let you go back to the 'Gin craze' which happened to you in the 18th century.

I hope you will handle my heart carefully because it is fragile as glass, just like the Shard. I will let you see inside my soul, like how I can view your beauty from the skyscraper.

I can already imagine the time running fast when I would be with you. For once, I will beg Big Ben to have some mercy on us. I wish to stop that clock needle in the Elizabeth tower and hope time freezes.

I don't think I would ever visit the Arctic poles anytime soon. Will you promise to take me to the Tower of London, where Henry III was given a polar bear as a present?

After dinner, we could get lost in your forest and hide inside the one square mile in the city. We could end our date night by looking at the beautiful fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night.

Sounds fun, right? Now please answer me.

Will you do the honor of being my date?

With Love,

Your Admirer.