German Exchange 2007

An Ode to a service station in Belgium
(read in monotone sarcasm)

An Ode to thee sweet Belgium
Whose pleasant rolling mists
And cotton roads
Make every passing mile feel like bliss,
And cosy warm abodes
By wayside fields, sunlight kissed.

What is this on horizon yonder?
Built from heavens bricks and light
A cathedral veiled in wonder
Which latches on to tired sight
And makes my gaze much fonder,
As we traverse this whimsical nation
To seek refuge in a Belgium service station.

Oh, what majesty to behold
In crystalline aisles of chocolate, snacks and breads
And tissues packed in bountiful bulk to tame even
The harshest cold.

And hark the ever refined beauty
Of the maiden of the lavatory
Whose never flickering holy duty
Is to charge you for the right to empty.

Alas such bountiful tidings can not last
As in the golden aisles time has past
And once more travellers must go
To the never ending Belgian roads
And turn and sigh
And bid farewell to that station of splendour
But this mighty quest that we must render
Saddens the soul and makes one cry …
“Oh, service station you’ll be missed!
As into darkness we persist!”

Written by Rob Lee and Joe Pike, 11 Oct 2007

(on a coach conquering the Belgian roads)