The Splendour of France

In June, when the winter cold is biting and an opportunity has passed me by, my heart longs for France and its splendour.

When you go there you will understand the sadness that comes over me when I am not there in July.

The liveliness of the Trocadero, the serenity of the Seine, the speed of the Place del a Concorde, the busy-ness of the Champse lyses that meets the solidity of the Arc De Triomphe are just a few icons that greets you in gay-Paris.

The sidewalks are dreamy, and I wouldn’t blame you if you slipped off into one of the cobbled side streets to view the beauty from the loom that brings you world fashion and if you get hungry along the way, you can pop into a lah-di-dah restaurant called l’Abbaye de Theleme and dine in opulence, or just go down the street and order McDonalds.

In the evening when the lights come on take your lover to dine at ‘Le Avenue’ and if you really lucky you might spot Hugh Hefner and the girls there too.

If the glamour is not the thing that lights your fire take a taxi down to Gare de Aurterlitz or even Montparnase and take the SNCF - TGV (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français Trains Grande Vitesse) to Bordeaux, hire a bicycle and taste wine and cheese all day long till the afternoon browns your skin and then lay quietly at night pondering on your exploits of the day.

It is the country of Paris, Tin Tin, Napoleon Bonaparte, St Germaine (the immortal alchemist), Josephine Baker (“Naked at the Feast”), the mighty Louvre, Peugeot and Citroen, sweet wine, a language so fine, its like wiping your ass with silk; and most of all le Grande Boucle; The Tour de France.

I could go on, and tell you about the lady with the fat diamond ring and her pink Château but you get the message so I’ll leave you with this:

I have been to Paris,

I arrived there in the rain…

Have you ever been to Paris?

She has seduced me so.

Now like opium she fills

my veins and it cannot

be undone.

Little cobble streets,

the shimmering Seine,

undisturbed on long, hot summer days.

Cafes rest dreamily on the

sidewalks.

Friendly ladies in heels on

the Velo

and all she is saying

is come play with me!

Its always love in Paris.

Can you just imagine?

If the entire world was in Paris…

What happy bike riders we would be

because love is truly all

We need.

Paris

I love you so

I love you

Dreamy Paris…

My wife doesn’t even know

how I’ve cheated on her with you in

my dreams,

Paris I miss you

so.

Paris, let me see

you once again

My sweet, sweet

Paris.