Janet, you have a point about world travelers. We cannot all be Hemingways. I've recently been to France, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, but haven't really thought about how to write poems about those travels. Maybe sometime, but maybe it won't be important.
Still, I think he was on to something, but didn't quite spell it out as well as the Auden poem did. Our writing is helped if we live good and rich lives. It is not necessarily about exciting and exotic adventures. It is probably more about developing rewarding friendships -- learning about the human condition; appreciating the different characters and experiences of those around you; some can get these experiences from books and imagination (like Emily D.), but if you have a sympathetic and absorbing mind, travel can be very enlightening. It all depends on the person though.
[This message has been edited by Daniel Haar (edited November 15, 2006).]
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