Travel
A poem by Michael Hawkes
July 30, 2026
People say that travel educates
broadens minds and opens gates,
but I would say it desecrates
and we all should stay at home.
They think it’s cool to get a tan
and soak up sun because they can,
but still despise the brown-skinned man
who wants to buy their home.
They say it’s good to empathize,
to peek into the poor folks’ lives,
to me it’s all backpacking lies
and they should stay at home.
They say acculturation’s good
but they’re uncultured, so they would
do much more blending as they should
in their kitchens back at home.
They say it’s good to spread the wealth
but disregard the psychic health
of those whose souls they steal by stealth
they, certainly should stay at home.
There’s quite a few who go first class
to have the locals kiss their ass,
the things they do would never pass
when they’re stuck up at home.
And then there’s those who go for sex,
whose mental states are quite complex
who cannot find the proper text
in the places they call home.
For many reasons people travel,
too many motives to unravel,
but the world would be more marvellous
if they all just stayed at home.
28/03/24 – Hawkes
Feature image: Acropolis, by K – Pexels
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Michael Hawkes was a cherished poet and contributor whose work enriched the pages of WestmountMag.ca with its sensitivity and depth. Over the years, he entrusted us with a rich body of poems, of which only a portion has yet been published. His passing leaves a profound void, but the poems still to come will continue to inspire all who were moved by his voice.