Tyrkia

Tyrkia Bosporus 1955 the old tanker where I was A galley boy had anchored waiting for orders To proceed into the Black Sea rowing boat came alongside Selling fez which was the “IN” by the seamen They also sold sweet liqueurs which I drank, got drunk And sick for the first time in my life I was 15, in the old Days one had to grow up fast and howl with the dogs The winter weather sunny I was awed by its Byzantine Mystic just like a fairy tale story; I bought a Fez And last time I was in Istanbul 30 years later on a ship Where I was a cook my fall from officer grade had been Painful, but I did go ashore not very far drank beer but What I remember the best was packs of dogs by the quay begging for food they knew I was a generous cook.