The Traveling Man

On the ego of conquest

Do you travel
because you like to see new places
or because you are afraid to stay still?
You keep going
to the places you've already been
randomly
with no proper rhythm or reason
Ah but I remember
you travel not for how it changes you
but for conquests
bragging rights
in service of the great one—
that tender ego
between your bald lobes
'I am the world's most traveled'
you want everyone to know
the top of all lists
And so you keep moving
less concerned about where or what is in front
but rather who chases behind
breathing heavily
upon your hairy neck

A poem by Pemba Umoja