Treasured Island
"For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land,
so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti,
full of peace and joy,
but encompassed by all of the horrors of the half-lived life."
----- Herman Melville from: Moby Dick
The rocky cliffs rise
above the sea,
like a great wall holding back
the watery main.
Nations vie
to control small bits of earth
still, the appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land,
and erodes the soil
'til nothing's left
but reef,
like one who is stripped
of all the frivolous
trappings foolishly acquired in time,
and then
in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti,
a secret place
which first must be found
then explored
and once known,
treasured above all else.
It is the prize esteemed
the elusive isleā¦
full of peace and joy
The journey there will be filled
with choices.
To risk the rifts
can be its own reward,
stay anchored
in fear and you will be
encompassed by all of the horrors of the half-lived life.
--------------------- Judi Van Gorder A Glosa