by Rachel Small

Created on: February 13, 2010

17 answers to “why travel?”

Because to mark time in longitudinal

slices and space in flag-shaped map pins

announces a quiet conquest of sorts.

Because hostels are paced with

eager cots, squeaking mattresses,

and shiny students telling fresh stories

every day (and you name yourselves in countries

dragging packs through shared rooms)

Because a crisp summer dress,

popping with daisies,

is “uncommonly tidy,

for a backpacker”

Because time change loss of

bearings are the surest access to a

body that’s animal;

loyal subject to the sun and the stars.

Because cities are all the same

and thai green curry

and a panini

and ice coffee

are one experience

again.

Because a room of three nights

is home, and

everything and nothing is new.

Because it takes clouds of

untried words and unmatched

sounds to hear myself

clearly, and to grasp that I think 

in lexicons, oxford commas, and

one lone way of saying.

Because this very here place is where

Highway 61 Revisited was born and Buddha

attained enlightenment under

this tree and an air traffic controller in

the US air force came out to her father at

this diner

and nothing of note ever happened in

this parking lot

where I tried a fresh date

for the first time

and looked around for

someone to share in the clean revelation.

Because this is my chance

to represent Canadian women

or white women

or Canada.

Because it takes many miles of going

to know the world’s round.

Because people are everywhere and nowhere

in the dewy forests,

desert moonscapes, river-cities

and I’m the only one alive in my car.

Because “what you risk

reveals what you value”

and it takes rubber squeals,

the blur of a wolf, and a

dangling headlight

to know

and “You play. You win.

You play. You lose. You play”

and a book is a trip is a quote

you chant while drifting

off on

the train, and a state and a song

coalesce seamlessly, sometimes.

Because if you’re not moving

you ought to be growing

and so you move.

Because the ocean is on the left

for 2200 windy

winding miles and

every sunset in every town

(where I never lived)

is on the water;

I’ll need to live by the water,

I think.

Because I’m a good daughter

at an email a week

and a phone card is 21 even minutes

of tepid connection.

Because everyone gets the

corporate discount at

roadside motels.

Because the road boomerangs

back swift sudden to

house city people

I can only love

(are only mine)

for having left.

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