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.