Ode

Ode

Ode-noun 1 a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.
2 (originally) a poem intended to be sung.

Here is my parting gift, 'A thanksgiving Ode' to Richard, Vina and Ethan, for their fabulous, kind, and totally enjoyable company...

Here's a thanksgiving poem for my hosts,
Vina, Ethan and 'ri-tard', the most,
wonderful Canadian crew,
It's time to bid you adieu.

Thanks for the lampoon-style adventure,
Of mischief and humor and laughter,
I say goodbye to the maples and pumpkins,
The scarecrows, cruise ships and country bumpkins. 

Thanks for reliving the 80s with me,
25 years later, it's hard to believe,
I'll leave tired, three weeks older, but wiser,
About trailer parks, fast food and hand sanitiser.

Karaoke and hot tubs and dogs,
Motorbike riding, and lobsters and fogs,
Hillbillies and building and boats,
Hauling fuel, playing music, drinking cokes,
Tim Hortons and strong breakfast coffee,
Seals,truck stop meals and chocolate offerings.

You'll  continue to live in my heart and my iPad,
I have photos, blog posts and more body fat,
And I'll stop all that chocolate I promise,
And the frappes and coffees that are bottomless,

I must beat Richard at his cholesterol challenge, 
I know this will be quite difficult to manage
1 kilo of hersheys is now in my baggage,
I'll try not to et through my luggage...

Poutine and pulp mill smell I won't miss,
The fast food, staring looks at my twigs,
The ice wind and the maritime extremes,
But I will miss my Canadian team.

Richards country music, well its not my tune,
Id rather be stabbed with a spoon,
But its a small price to pay for your wit,
Two weeks in a Jim Carey skit.

I'll continue to think of you all often,
Especially when my keys and wallet are forgotten,
When I am licked by a dog on my leg,
Or a pooch tries to pee in my bed.

When I see new potatoes in store,
I'll think PEI,  motorbikes, red -sea shores,
Ethans gadgets, camo and survival gear,
His musical talents, iPod movies, business ideas,
His hats and glasses and style
Saint johns grooviest 'little dude' by a mile.

Thanks vina for the photos and Asian feeds,
The yoga, the shops and coffees,
The front seat of the truck, sharing your luck,
The clothes, and cheap shopping sprees.

Welcoming me to the place where you dwell 
And having to listento us as we tell
Old escapades of Richard and Mel 
It's lucky your perfect as well !

And when I return I expect,
Your hair to be dreaded and kept,
In an African style that sets trends,  
Borrowed from a good Aussie friend

You will miss me slamming car doors,
Aussie burgers with beetroots and all,
Having  someone to bug in the halls,
And make fun of the slow nasal drawl
To share double entendres and cookies,
Any excuse for you boys to play 'hookey'.

Im a long way from you old Maritimers,
I hope u visit before were old-timers,
That is of course if Richard survives,
His advancing MS aside,
His tendency to catastrophize,
With such neurosis he may not stay alive..

So I'll  take my bargains and twee souvenirs,
New friendships and  renovation ideas,
Bubbles glasses a thing of the past,
But I'll soon see my two boys at last.

You've enriched my visit no end,
But I must take my twigs and upend,
And to borrow some words from Adele, 
I wish you the best and farewell. 

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo