As an American traveler I have <br />to remember not to get actionably mad <br />about the way things are around here. <br />Tomorrow I’ll be a thousand miles away <br />from the way it is around here. I will <br />keep my temper, I will not kill the dog <br />next door, nor will I kill the next-door wife, <br />both of whom are crazy and aggressive <br />and think they live at the center of culture <br />like everyone else in this college town. <br />This is because I’m leaving, I’m taking off <br />by car, by light plane, by jet, by taxicab, <br />for some place else a thousand miles away, <br />so I caution myself: control your rage, <br />even if it causes a slight heart attack. <br />Stay out of jail tonight before you leave, <br />and don’t get obstreperous in transit tomorrow <br />so as to stay out of jail on arrival tomorrow night. <br />Think: the new handcuffs are sharp inside <br />and meant to cut the wrists. You’re not too old <br />to be raped in their filthy overcrowded jails <br />and you’ll lose your glasses and false teeth. <br />How would you eat, study and be <br />a traveling lecturer if you got out alive and sane? <br />So remember to leave this place peacefully, <br />it’s only Asshole State University at Nowheresville, <br />and remember to get to the next place peacefully, <br />it’s only Nowhere State University at Assholesville <br />and you must travel from place to place for food and shelter.<br /><br />Alan Dugan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/internal-migration-on-being-on-tour/
