Travel Poem by Mary Champion

Travel broadens the mind, or so they say,
though it certainly narrows our options
as well as those of future generations,
because it pollutes our precious planet.
It's all bad - but the worst thing is flying.
It's agreed, other people should fly less.
But we deserve our holiday, don't we?
We need to visit our kinfolk abroad.
But every time we opt for a trip
on that magic jet carpet dream-liner,
our delicately balanced climate tips
one more degree towards total breakdown.
Tourism's fine for the privileged few,
but when we all jump aboard the cruise ship-
because why shouldn't we? - We've got rights too;
when we descend like swarming locust hordes
we threaten to destroy those beauty spots
we all need as backdrops to our selfies.
Venice is fighting for its survival.
Holiday lets leave local folk homeless.
National Parks disfigured with litter.
Careless campers ignite deadly grass fires.
The catalogue of carnage is endless
as our wonderful world is laid to waste.

Like some rock star on a world tour wrote -
'Call some place Paradise - kiss it goodbye '