The Grand Tour in a "Petit Verse"

Some Canuk Seniors went to explore

Turkey two continents X roads from yore

With Bryan our tireless organizer

And Hakan our tour guide mentor

Mosques, castles, bazaars, ancient sites

Some by the seas, others on heights

Castles, forts, cisterns, sarcophagi

Sewage drains, agoras, baths, tumuli

Temples, gates, fountains, caravanserai

The ancient hotels but the guest didn't pay

We climbed citadels, penetrated tunnels and pits

We bargained in souks and made certain hits

We collected our jewellery, cups, scarves, and vests

Onyx, carpets, wine Cappadocias best

Postcards we bought, stamps were a chore

Will they be delivered we cannot be sure

For three weeks we scoured this mosaic country

And struggled to absorb its rich history

We sampled its foods a real potpourri

And many bought books on Turkish cookery

Now time has come to bid fond adieu

To our batman, driver, escort, guide

Who showed us his country with humour and pride

We thank him sincerely; with him may Allah abide

As we return to our country, across the sea

We'll remember our sojourn in friendly Turkey

And ponder still why not to be found

A single turkey bird where the Turks abound

Author : Yvonne Lacey
Canadian Group April 1997