appealing

The Maynard
Fall 2017

Christopher Levenson

The Travel Section

Mostly nowadays I flicker through quickly, noting
the blue glare of Aegean surf, safari trips
in Botswana, treks in Nepal, but then discard
their glossy come-ons in the recycling bin.
My legs give up on me, sheer will power’s never enough
to make it up Machu Pichu or reach Vladivostok
on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
In my mind a world traveller at fifteen,
I retrace forays to West End Embassies
to collect brochures for Cyprus, Connecticut
—impossible destinations. Though never one
for five-star beach resorts or luxury cruises
I am still game for anywhere unknown.
On that final repositioning
I’ll travel light, take my chances. I am on standby.