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Thoughts On a Lifetime of Travel

I have wandered near and far during all my years
Keeping such good counsel with all those I have met,
Trying to minimize the impact of my fears
Nourishing a kind and gentle, thoughtful mindset.
I have tried not to commit many infractions
Though in this regard I have miserably failed,
Whenever possible, I weighed my transactions
And, far as I recall, I have never been jailed.

The best thing about a life filled with adventure
Is gaining good information worth finding out
The joy of understanding a diverse culture,
Beforehand, I never even had thought about
Comes a time when travel is perilous, and so
I take steps carefully and exceedingly slow.

Written April 23, 2021

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 4/26/2021 1:35:00 PM This is a hilarious line "And, far as I recall, I have never been jailed", made it "real". Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 4/26/2021 1:45:00 PM Well, I wanted to make that very, very clear!

Dennis Spilchuk Date: 4/26/2021 8:14:00 AM Travel has changed, one wonders if it's worth the hassle and the ever changing rules and regulations, and in some cases fear. At least you have enjoyed your previous travels without inconveniences and hindrances. Wish you the best, and I enjoyed reading your poem. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 4/26/2021 9:31:00 AM Thanks so much, Dennis. I appreciate your visit, your read, and your comment. Yes, travel is not what it used to be, but if one just goes ahead and gives in to the various requirements and inconveniences, it can still be very enjoyable.

David Kavanagh Date: 4/24/2021 10:50:00 AM I feel the Wanderlust kicking in again Milton, reading your very witty sonnet, some great lines in here, and I had a good laugh to myself reading about infractions, so you are human after all, sorry for calling you a machine the other day, cheers David Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 4/24/2021 11:50:00 AM Thanks, David. Nope, not a machine--I don't recall your saying that--I'll have to go look! Yeah, I am experiencing cabin fever for a long trip abroad. I'm definitely human, David, more so that you many might think. Very, very human! LOL

Susan Woodrow Date: 4/24/2021 8:54:00 AM wonder what your infraction fails were - made me chuckle there. Our life adventures give us something to be glad about when we can no longer venture far...it is already getting very unpleasant to travel and I recently had a long swab scraping the base of my brain to be sure I was covid negative before reentering the country so I told my girl that I was not leaving ever again as long as they are testing! :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 4/24/2021 11:48:00 AM Deb and I made annual treks to Mexico. Love that country. Many times to Europe and a couple of trips to Africa. Closest I have been to S.A. is Aruba, so I plan to go to Manaus, then to Rio, and on down to Montevideo, Uruguay, if all goes well. I have a good friend going with me--to bring back my remains if I don't make it! LOL Susan Woodrow Date: 4/24/2021 10:16:00 AM when I returned from Fiji last July, all we were told was to self-quarantine for two weeks and report to health authorities if we felt ill...earlier this month, returning from Mexico, we had to be tested covid negative within 72 hours of departure prior to being allowed back... I hope things will be more pleasant by next January. I'd love to visit Brazil too :) L Milton Hankins Date: 4/24/2021 9:41:00 AM Wow, Susan, I haven't been out of the country since this COVID thing. Sorry your experience was unpleasant. I have a big trip to South America planned for January, so am hoping I'll be able to get into and out of Brasil. My infractions were few...it made for a good rhyme! LOL