Of France my earliest impressions
Plain tree lined avenues come as a vision
From the Tale of two Cities
An impression created early
In the early fifties
Dover to Calais by ferry
Arriving at Gare du Nord by train
Countryside wet by the rain
Got myself a city map later
Booked a pension at the counter
The Paris Metro got me there faster
Directions to the pension from the counter
Up the stairs to a high floor
Suitcase lugged up to the door
Morning breakfast simple
A bowl of coffee and bread ample
Getting tips from the pension
Covered usual tourist attractions
The Eiffel Tower Montmartre Arc de Triumph
Boat ride on the river
Seine
Museums take one on a history ride
The War Museum a focus on national pride
The French revolution leading to contentment
The national anthem expressing a sentiment
Art galleries for me always take a while
To sit and stare at Mona Liza’s mystic smile
Other French artists also capturing
Monet Van Goh Degas equally alluring
Transition for me to modern art
Difficult for me to take it to heart
Other Paris spots fascinating
Moulin Rouge a pavement café relaxing
Paris in summer for tourists catering
All a romantic dream chasing
Algerian workers everywhere
Menial jobs they take care
To Claremont Ferron on another occasion
Our study station on a hill in a remote location
On a field trip to study
Flora and fauna to take back getting ready
Clear blue sky’s unusual hue
Cloudless a dark shade of blue
The old Renault their workhorse
Horse drawn carts
bicycles still on course
Near a village our research station
Lunch and dinner at the local inn
The best of French country fare
Delicious food prepared with care
Monsieur Olivier in charge of meals
With the innkeeper making deals
Vin Rouge and Vin Blanc at every meal
A must to lift up how he feels
Strasbourg on Frances eastern side
Adjacent Germany`s Black Forest dark and wide
With friends a car drive
Schnapps a drink keeps us warm and alive
Marie Louis Blittersdorf our host full of action
Also John Sale Pascal Monica at the station
In her car visiting places
Meeting many new faces
France to me a relaxing place
The farmer felt capped with a welcoming face
The countryside to me more alluring
Food and good humour everywhere prevailing
During my visits a special allure
Slow paced at leisure
The violence of today
changes everything
Unrest also gives hope for something
The legacy of the revolution
Keeps raising its head with resolution
The past always seems to raise its head
Let them have cake if no bread
M P Prabhakar
10.12.2015
PJ
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