Forget the blue skies and the swimming pool

Your desk is all ready so don’t act like a fool.

 

Forget the pavement cafes and Mademoiselles

As your computer fires up with a thousand e-mails

Enough to numb the pain

and the nagging desire for a glass of red wine;

Act cool.

 

Briefings, meetings and folders to review

Memoranda and consultations to plough through

 

Forget the camembert and French bread

Close the door on the plat du jour

Its not even lunch and I can’t resist

The thought of a cool aperitif;

As if . .

 

Revised protocols need to be sorted

And I see the new software is unsupported

 

I’ll enjoy my lunch in the works canteen

A ham sandwich and a cup of tea

And the memory of a French bistro won’t even arise

All bustle and chatter and joie de vivre

No, not for me . .