Islander

For the islander

The coastline stretches in a thin smile

And the water is cold

So green against the granite

But you're floating out,

your feathers white upon the water

Swim back to me now

Come back to the places that you know

And warm yourself awhile

For the islander

Sunlight pools upon the channel

And the furrows are bare –

So black against the clouds

But you're diving down

Between the lines and sinkers

Swim back to me now

Climb the winding path up to the road

That leads you into town, and into the square

To gaze upon the stones that they laid there

And feel the iron heel pressed into your back -

Back to haunt the places that you know

And feel the sun awhile

Then back to the cold

Dive in off the rocks below the road