Foreign Intrusions

Remember, as they snap your passport open and shut

ask a zillion questions, before you say “but”

just smile and keep your mouth shut….

you are a foreign intrusion.

As you get your fill of weiner schnitzel

and all foods that have good smell

watch it….you’re gonna feel like hell

‘cause in your stomach, it’s foreign intrusion.

The processes thrown at you in your Project at hand

is the same ‘ole “stuff”, just in German land

the things you will learn…will just be grand

but you will still be a foreign intrusion.

If you happen to see a castle or the Berlin Wall

or Auschwitz, and hear the ghosts call

on your paper with pen, your thoughts do scrawl

will be so different, such foreign intrusions!

If you get tired, as you will – a bombarding of senses

Such a short time there, put down your defenses

There is a drain on your mind, output dispenses

One voice is a foreign intrusion….

And that would be mine,

As I remind you….. just one snapshot more

Please soak up all the history of lore

Keep your mind open, I so implore

My whisper in your ear is the foreign intrusion….

You are the Poet from Indy, that is who you are

And your employer's Shining Star

So while the company egos are all at war

take a walk outside, as a foreigner intruding -

On hallowed ground, or at least very old

What an awesome experience, may I be so bold

to remind you to be - what you have been told

Express your soul’s experiences, you’ll see

and your heart will no longer be…..

within you, a foreigner intruding.

(written to a friend as they embarked on a trip to Europe)