Then and Now

After college graduation,
Oh, so many years ago,
I traveled throughout Europe,
All my youthful seeds to sow.

With my friends, I took a ferry
To a popular Greek isle
Which had very few hotels,
A hostel being more our style.

But instead, some local women
Met the ferries at the dock,
Where they beckoned so we’d follow
As they eyed us, taking stock.

We were ushered to a bedroom,
Passing family looking on,
Where we dropped our knapsacks, surely
A tradition that’s long gone.

Handing drachmas to a stranger,
Much less sleeping in her bed,
Is a far, far cry from Greece today,
From articles I’ve read.

There are hotels by the hundreds
Being built on isles in Greece
And, despite the locals’ protests,
This construction will not cease.

How much cooler to be greeted,
From a dark and choppy sea,
By a smiling native grandma
Speaking what was Greek to me!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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Rolland Avatar
January 19, 2024 at 8:06 AM
these are precious souvenirs for a poem for the entire life, i do'nt know Greece, but her neighbour, Turkey, it was marvellous and a great adventure too for sleeping safely have a nice day Ilene
Allison Avatar
January 19, 2024 at 12:03 AM
oh the days of youth and innocence Ilene it sounds like you had a marvelous adventure - not safe to try it now I'm afraid - how times and the world have changed - that final line creaked me up - I always say iambic pentameter is all greek to me (as it is lol )lol:-) hugs Jan xx
Wolf Avatar
January 18, 2024 at 7:40 PM
That last line is a lu-lu, ilene. lol. ~ Gershon
Lane Avatar
January 18, 2024 at 9:21 AM
aww, Ilene. So many things are not as they used to be. Pity that, for now it's a world all about 'What's in it for me?' What a wonderful experience that must have been for you and your friends. Loved your last line.
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