Lost In the Translation

Lost in the Translation

“Donnez-moi un verre de vin”

My accent seemed strange at the Paris café

They brought me an entire carafe of wine

And I drank it all to my escort’s dismay

When I asked, “Ou est la salle de bain?”

Le confused garcon led me to the alleyway

“Où sont les toilettes?” I tried again

“C'est à l'hôtel,” was all he could say

Groaning, “Sacré bleu, PARDON MY FRENCH!”

I spun and jogged miles to my hotel in haste

Two thousand for airfare, far more for a tutor 

Such an investment seems quite a “waste”

When all you want is to relieve yourself

And still cannot locate the proper place


*Assigned phrase for Deborah’s contest:  PARDON MY FRENCH
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Pettit Avatar
February 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM
I had a similar episode at EPCOT center in Disneyworld. C'est une poeme tres magnifique!
Brown Avatar
June 21, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Congratulations on your win in Deborah Guzzi's contest "Catch Phrase" Carolyn. Love, Carol
Freeman Avatar
June 15, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Carolyn, congratulations on your place. Agape, Moses
Green Avatar
June 15, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Congrats on your win!
Sweetheart Avatar
June 15, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Congrats Carolyn on your winning poem in the Catch Phrase Contest.. a nice write around your assigned phrase.. enjoy your special victory.. with luv from the "Sweetheart"
Green Avatar
June 9, 2010 at 10:27 AM
HAHAHAHA! Good one. GL in the contest!
Page Avatar
June 6, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Brilliantly funny, My sort of humour. Love Roger x
Strand Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Tres bien Carolyn.
Stella Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 7:38 AM
oh yes your pardon now wipe up that floor lol great entry my friend should do very well I bet minene will be a doozy lmao keep up the great work
Eggins Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 4:51 AM
loved it Carolyn its cheeky and its very clever I loved this one ... brilliantly done smile love Jayne x x x
Fraser Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 3:41 AM
Suck The Blue, oops my French is totally useless Carolyn. Good luck in Deborah's contest >> James
Rhinem Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 12:36 AM
Smile! "You" make me smile, "Beautiful Carolyn Devonshire!!!" ~ I enjoyed this wonderful write for, it was so well crafted, pretty, sweet and laced humor ~ Smile, I thought that I would stop by before I get out of this box dear! Had a little ground to make up tonight on some long overdue hello's! Smile, "I Love This!" ~ Again, "Beautiful Dreams to You Wherever You Are, 'Beautiful Lady,' Love Always," John! ~ Smile, "Goodnight, 'Precious Carolyn Devonshire!!!'":) ~
Bloomsfield Avatar
June 4, 2010 at 7:49 AM
TRES JOLIE Mademoiselle Carolyn!Great,Great Work!Celene!
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 10:15 PM
LOL. That one is a hoot, Carolyn! I can only imagine what "Sacré bleu" means. Good luck in the contest.
Byrne Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 7:39 PM
funny, very good!
Keys Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 2:19 PM
when my wife and went to Paris, I looked french and she spoke it. People approached me, and she replied, brought some strange looks, great work, thanks chuck
Loving Iii Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 12:37 PM
did'nt know "sacr'e bleu" was profanity. good luck. john
Freeman Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Haaaaaaa! As the pressure, began to fester! This is charming and quite witty, Carolyn. Good luck in the contest. Agape, Moses
Mitchell Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Lol! Funny! Well done, Carolyn!
Pickett Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM
Nice..... I rather enjoyed this beauty..... Good work my dear.....:JP]
Guzzi Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 6:49 AM
See now, look at you! You did it and well with nary a naughty word and no ethnic slams either.You are the heroine of your own tale! I was in Paris and I thought I was asking Where is the museum/louvre..and I was saying the verb open..like from open the window "ouvert" as in "ouvert la fenêtre" needless to say even though I was pointing at a map the haughty French just looked at me as if I was crazy and were of no help at all!
Knop Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 5:08 AM
Great write and funny too, Carolyn!!! But your French is not bad at all!!! Mybe that garcon was an immigrant with a bad knowledge of French!!! Ha, ha, ha, In Portugal they took me for a Spaniard because of my pronounciation and I did not receive an answer as they some won't like Spaniards, but it was a funny experience! Wuish you good luck for Deborah's contest and thank you for your kind comments...Love, Gert
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