Internal Migration On Being On Tour

A poem by Alan Dugan

As an American traveler I have

to remember not to get actionably mad

about the way things are around here.

Tomorrow I’ll be a thousand miles away

from the way it is around here. I will

keep my temper, I will not kill the dog

next door, nor will I kill the next-door wife,

both of whom are crazy and aggressive

and think they live at the center of culture

like everyone else in this college town.

This is because I’m leaving, I’m taking off

by car, by light plane, by jet, by taxicab,

for some place else a thousand miles away,

so I caution myself: control your rage,

even if it causes a slight heart attack.

Stay out of jail tonight before you leave,

and don’t get obstreperous in transit tomorrow

so as to stay out of jail on arrival tomorrow night.

Think: the new handcuffs are sharp inside

and meant to cut the wrists. You’re not too old

to be raped in their filthy overcrowded jails

and you’ll lose your glasses and false teeth.

How would you eat, study and be

a traveling lecturer if you got out alive and sane?

So remember to leave this place peacefully,

it’s only Asshole State University at Nowheresville,

and remember to get to the next place peacefully,

it’s only Nowhere State University at Assholesville

and you must travel from place to place for food and shelter.

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Poems in English 

• To Heal by Nithin Purple by Poetry In English
• Time To Transplant by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• They Tell Of The Warsaw Uprising by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• The Witching Hour by Norma Martiri by Poetry In English
• The Walk by Noel Angelo Hurley by Poetry In English
• The Song of the Cheerful (but slightly sarcastic) Jesus by Oliver St. John Gogarty by Poetry In English
• The place that is dark without space and the moonlight off the pond (The Gray) by Olivia Lewis by Poetry In English
• The Last Whisper by Nizar Sartawi by Poetry In English
• The Fire by Nin Andrews by Poetry In English
• The Blacksmith by Olga Dytyniak by Poetry In English
• The Battle of an National Icon by Norma Martiri by Poetry In English
• The Visit by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• That Summer by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• Temporary City by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• Synesthesia by Orla McGreevy by Poetry In English
• Summer Enclosed In A Semi-Dark Cup by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English
• Sound and Spirit by Oladele Hussein by Poetry In English
• Song of Medical Dick and Medical Davy by Oliver St. John Gogarty by Poetry In English
• Sleeping for Kafka by Nin Andrews by Poetry In English
• Sitting Beside The Very Street by Nijole Miliauskaite by Poetry In English

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