I, the peregrine by Jen Ross Laguna

I, the peregrine

I, the peregrine,

soaring through azure skies on jet-fueled wings,

in search of adventures to quench my wanderlust.

I, the nomad,

picking up and moving, time and time again,

wherever opportunity and curiosity lead me.

I, the storyteller,

reporting realities and narrating my experiences,

to raise awareness and inspire others to take a stand.

I, the tourist,

snapping shots of exotic faces and far-flung places,

to preserve my memories digitally, for time immemorial.

I, the connoisseur,

buying ceremonial masks and devouring typical dishes,

for a taste of cultures I yearn to experience and understand.

I, the wanderer,

walking cobblestone streets and trekking distant jungles,

to learn more about their inhabitants, and about myself.

I, the pilgrim,

visiting cathedrals, synagogues, mosques and temples,

in search of a faith that convinces, yet often eludes me.

I, the traveler,

roaming distant coastlines and acclaimed museums,

to soak up the past, be in the present, and take on the future.

This galivanting has delighted and enriched me,

but what imprint does my bucket list leave behind?

What cost for the people feeding the industry,

or lands and ecosystems that can’t rewind?

My reckless abandon, fueled by curiosity,

can no longer evade my mounting concern,

for our Earth’s own growing fragility

which only true peregrines can discern.