The backpack
May 7th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Fragments and Thoughts, Prose & PoetryApril 24–The back pack
As i pack another set of belongings
another mini life time
I think of all the journeys we’ve been on
how I bought it in 1987
for a trip to Europe that went all wrong
because Lee-Anne broke my heart
boo hoo
shit, that was years ago!
Eighty seven
Easter it was
my first trip overseas
which got diverted to New Zealand and then America
there I was in a place I hadn’t bargained for,
stuck somewhere between Santa Monica
and L.A. International
trying to catch a bus so I could be in line
to stand by for the evening flight to London
I didn’t make it that second night
caught somewhere between bus two and three
depositing me in a neighborhood of ill repute
where i thought I was going to be
the victim of a drive by shoot
or something like you see
on the truthful TV
So back to the journey
Ireland , UK, A Kontiki tour of Europe
where I met those seminary students
who pointed me in the right direction
regarding religion
after I pretended to deliver a sermon
at a fancy dress parade
the ‘New Testament’ they said
“what’s that ” I asked!
Later I discovered its importance
as I recovered from that broken heart
from a love affair that didn’t even start!
God I was so young
and this backpack has come
on SO many journeys
weddings, girlfriends, movings and leavings
it’s been with me through everything
maybe it’s time to trade it in
get a new one
think how much ‘baggage’
I’m carrying around with this one
yes, maybe it’s time to wipe the slate clean.
