French Day 2022 - My Tryst with France

Was a coup de foudre, from first glance.

My very first link, I now guess,

Was an early visit by GS.

My mother wrote that when I was

Just two, ma cousine Genevoise

Conversed with me en français

And left an impression, till this day.

Perhaps that is the reason why In school,

I would always try

So very hard when it came to French

But Hindi felt like a wrench.

In ‘70 by happenstance GS invited me to France.

So I was quickly on a plane

And then I took a rumbling train.

The train was slow, no TGV,

But soon I was in St. Tropez.

The beauties there gave me a scare

For most of them were rather bare.

And very soon I came to know

Why this small town was called Seins Trop!

Of course I met a comely wench

Who taught me how to speak in French.

At school, you mostly read and write

So speaking French was a delight.

And thus began my link to France.

For my rôle in IFTA and Alliance

Uncle Sohrab paved the way.

We sorely miss him on this day.

For joie de vivre, France is known

A concept that it seems to own.

It’s famous for its gastronomie

And known for its bonhomie.

But I think it only fair

France should be known for savoir faire!

And If I could have my way

We’d travel here by TGV.

France and India could win the race

In voyaging to outer space.

Both countries could successfully

Develop nuclear energy.

I’m glad that I have had the chance

To share with you my love of France.

And some of you might well find

This somewhat strange, but love is blind.