I meant to sail the oceans
to which all rivers flow,
to spy a pod of dolphins
and watch the white whales blow.

I meant to be a nomad,
to join a caravan,
to ride upon a camel
through sweeping dunes of sand.

I meant to find a mountain
to climb where eagles soar,
to look upon a vista
no others would explore.

But when day of departure
for every journey came,
I failed to use my ticket --
no summits can I claim.