Sep 24, 2012

Traveled Man

I think today I have officially crossed the line from "tired" to "exhausted." (And yet...I love everything I'm doing. I could definitely find better balance in some ways. But I'm working on it ha!)

A lot of thoughts on my mind lately.

One thought starts with this poem! :)

The Traveled Man--Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"Sometimes I wish the railroads all were torn out,
The ships all sunk among the coral strands.
I am so very weary, yea, so worn out,
With tales of those who visit foreign lands.

When asked to dine, to meet these traveled people,
My soup seems brewed from cemetery bones.
The fish grows cold on some cathedral steeple,
I miss two courses while I stare at thrones.

I'm forced to leave my salad quite untasted,
Some musty, moldy temple to explore.
The ices, fruit, and coffee all are wasted
While into realms of ancient art I soar.

I'd rather take my chance of life and reason,
If in a den or roaring lions hurled
Than for a single year, ay, for one season,
To dwell with folks who'd traveled round the world.

So patronizing are they, so oppressive,
With pity for the ones who stay at home,
So mighty is their knowledge, so aggressive,
I ofttimes wish they had not cesaed to roam.

They loathe the new, they quite detest the present;
They revel in a pre-Columbian morn;
Just dare to say America is pleasant,
And die beneath the glances of their scorn.

They are increasing at a rate alarming,
Go where I will, the traveled man is there.
And now I think that rustic wholly charming
Who has not strayed beyond his meadows fair."

Now I'll be honest...most of the "traveled" people I have met aren't this cocky and patronizing. The "rustic wholly charming" doesn't need to feel inferior.

I think the "travelling man" definitely gets cool new perspectives on others and themselves. Heck, I'm definitely prone to get bit by the travel-hungry bug. But you can learn a lot right out your front door--many valuable people and experiences exactly in the phase of life/place in life you are at.

Both are good. It is good to take advantage of opportunities to expand. Meanwhile, love where you are!

That is good for me to remember. I would love to be able to spend more time with people in other places. (Mo-town? ahem...Logan?!)

But life is good y'all

:)

(PS the title of this poem reminds me of the OOOOOOOOOOOOLD song by Ricky Nelson called Traveling Man. A very old patient sang it to me :))

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