Home » Poems » Ilene Bauer » Reading the Fine Print

Reading the Fine Print

In younger days we booked a trip
And never gave a thought
To reasons we might cancel
And what refunds would be sought.

We rarely took insurance,
Health was not a big concern
And we never worried ‘bout the need
To suddenly return.

But age has made us cautious;
Carefree travel makes no sense
And by reading all the fine print,
Suddenly I’m on the fence.

Do we take a chance and go
Because our time is ticking fast
Or get stuck in the minutiae
‘Til the options have all passed?

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Bill Baker

Date: 8/15/2025 9:08:00 PM

As we age, travel doesn't have quite the same feel to us. Decisions are harder to make, and Sara and I decide to "staycation" more often than go. :-) Thanks for sharing your meaningful poetry with us, my friend. Smiles ~ Blessing Bill

Terry Flood

Date: 8/14/2025 4:19:00 PM

Live each day as though… you’ll live forever! If you want to do something… do it! We can’t live our lives not going somewhere or doing something for fear we might pop our clogs before we’re done… we’d sit in a chair and vegetate. Mind you… it’s easy for me to say… I’m truly happy right where I am. Smashing write in great rhyme as per usual, Ilene.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 8/13/2025 6:17:00 PM

These stanzas say much about you Ilene as a thinking person. I've never taken flight insurance; it's a waste of money in my opinion. If I hesitate to fly these days it's not in fear of an accident, rather the weirdos I may have to share a seat with on the plane! / Maurice

Tom Woody

Date: 8/13/2025 4:10:00 PM

Lovely

Jan Allison

Date: 8/13/2025 3:28:00 PM

Oh Ilene, I sure can relate especially with my husband's health issues - I think the insurance will cost more than the holiday lol. but its not worth taking the risk - we even have to get travel insurance to go to the UK in case of a body needing to be repatriated! A few years ago someone we know went on holiday to Mexico - his wife passed away as the plane was preparing to take off - I can only begin to imagine how traumatic that was for poor Phil:-( hugs jan xx