The Stars & Stripes flew, or rather hung, from the horizontal: br A startling statement in this ‘one-horse-town’ br That has, today, become my home. br It’s not the ‘Land of the Free’, br Yet, at the risk of rhyme, it is to me; br Hidden deep in the green of another red, white and blue, br This Tricolore Francais of we: me and you. br br In another age, une autre langue br It was ‘Left at the Carpenter’s Arms’, br Now it’s ‘A droite a la Rue de la Natte br En face du Horseman’s Store.’ br br It qualifies as a town in exactly the same way br As AFC Bournemouth qualifies for the European Cup: br Never in a month of Sundays br And only in its wildest dreams. br To take the title of ‘village’, even, br Bruebach would have to punch way above its feather-weight. br br As places go, it’s a bit short on stature….. br But then, that makes two of us, I guess.