Friday, April 17, 2015

Poem of the Day: “Hitchhiker to Anywhere” by Neil Eillman

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Hitchhiker to Anywhere” by Neil Eillman.  More than 1,000 of Mr. Ellman’s poems have appeared in journals throughout the world.  He was nominated for a Rhysling Award, and for Pushcart Prizes twice, and for Best of the Net twice.

Hitchhiker to Anywhere
(after graffiti art by Banksy)
by Neil Ellman

Anywhere is where
I’ll go
anywhere but here
where I am
and there
where I was.

To Jerusalem
to find my soul
or Bethlehem
to be born again
no matter which
or where
I’ll share the drive.

Carry my spirit
In the passenger seat
to the other side
where tomorrow
is another place          
where I can live
another life other than
the life I lead
or die again
in any other place
but this
where I am now
already dead.

Poet’s Notes:  Ekphrastic poetry involves an effort to respond to and interact with a visual image.  Just how far the poet should deviate from the original image remains somewhat controversial.  My poem, "Hitchhiker to Anywhere," is closely related to the Banksy image itself, which is of Charles Manson holding a placard reading "Anywhere."  While the graffiti was still in existence, efforts were made to change the placard to read "Nowhere," which was certainly a legitimate response.  Mine is legitimate as well, but we probably will never know because of the secretiveness of the artist.

Editor’s Note:  The Kerouac-ian, hippy vibe of this poem is such fun in spite of the art that inspired it. 

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