Let’s Go
by travis catsull

Let’s stroll the sleepy streets
of Playa del Carmen
where the sand spills
from blanket shops

Let’s sleep in the queer hotels
of Bangkok
where the beer is full
of formaldehyde
and butterfly girls
wink at white boys

Let’s drive
a stripped down VW
to Belize
and work great gardens
in the half jungles
of San Ignacio

Let’s shave our heads
and chant Sanskrit mantras
with the monks of Bavaria
as they fan Prabhupada
with peacock feathers

Let’s sit on the dock
behind a Bellingham fish factory
talking with bearded hobos
who have only bread
for lunch

Let’s coast down the highway
along the Columbia River
in a van that hasn’t enough fuel
to make it otherwise

Let’s hide our food
from gypsies
as they scavenge through
the rotting castles
of Czech Republic

Let’s stop in Vegas
and drink all nite
on a handful of nickels
only to sleep in the lot
of a gift store

Let’s paddle a canoe
through the canals of Delft
waving to kids
on the steps
to faded houseboats

Let’s search out smoke clubs
in Vancouver
become members
and talk hockey
with strangers
who mock us

Let’s bet our t-shirts
against camel hide sandals
at boxing matches
in the Marrakech square

Let’s gaze
at the 100 ft. Christmas tree
built on grog
each year in the plaza
of North Dortmund

Let’s catch mangos
from howler monkeys
moving miles and miles
along the beach
of Costa Rica
without touching
the ground

Let’s smoke on the deck
of the slow, white ferry
crossing back and forth
from England to France

Let’s wander through
empty Osaka airports
while the sun sets
on the runway
and trash water

Let’s watch it rain
from Glasgow hostels
where bees are sleeping
in the thick marmalade
of morning

Let’s play whiffle-ball
Let’s drive to the sea
Let’s trigger horses
Let’s break into winter homes
Let’s hitch to Dallas
Let’s sleep in a field
Let’s throw punches
Let’s do anything
except go back home

-From the upcoming book, “In the Year of the Girl”