Stuck In The Web

Jacqui Furneaux’s ode to the freedom of the road

 

“I want to travel like you…” they say

But will not put their phones away.

“…Get lost amid the wilderness.

But first I’ll check the GPS.”

They will not let themselves be free

To trust the signs from A to B.

 

“I want to be like you” they say,

“And freely roam where e’re we may

And sleep with the sun at the end of the day.

Booking.com will choose our stay.”

Pre-booked rooms come at a cost

As priceless camping–free is lost.

So rarely if I’m in a pair

Do we wait to see what’s there.

 

I like to be off-line and free

With no blue arrows guiding me.

I wing it; travel on a whim,

Take risks. Go out upon a limb.

But wits aren’t needed on this run.

My senses dulled and going numb.

They say they want to follow me

If only Google maps agree.

No self-discovery on a whim

So I concede and follow him.

 

“I want to be like you” they say,

“And let the locals point the way.”

But local folk aren’t quick enough

A Google arrow does the stuff.

A screen is easier to read

A safe result with much more speed.

 

Maps always serve me very well

Why do they think it is such hell?

Now travelling is changed for me,

The path to take so curiously

Is pre-determined on a screen

It even shows you where you’ve been!

 

But I admit I’m glad it’s there

In cities and in places where

Endless riding round and round

Is saved because the net has found

The shortest way to get from here

To where we’d like to be quite near.

When one is lost in dead of night

The arrow is a welcome sight.

 

I’m happy having company

And like to share the world I see

But more and more I feel I’m led

To organise my ways instead.

Am I just a dinosaur?

And should I get more modern or

Head off solo on a track?

Should I hit the RIGHT road, Jac?