Innocence Lost, Paradise Regained

                              (Sestina)


Sol was forgiving in this beautiful island
Where you first saw the light of day
And heard the chirping of birds at dawn
Loud cries competed with the sound of waves
As they tirelessly kiss the morning shores
Erasing your first footprints in the sands

Early childhood spent playfully on the sands
Picking up shells, chasing and riding the waves
Greeting your weary father at break of dawn
Who spent the night away from the shores
Trying to make a living each passing day
From the bounty of this peaceful island

Hospitality and serenity reign on this island
Where folks religiously toil from early dawn
Always filled with warmth every single day
As they greet visitors from distant shores
Who love to frolic in the sparkling white sands
After a whole day of fun with the playful waves

Tourists flock upon news of the mighty waves
Invading the once quiet and peaceful shores,
Desecrating the beautiful scenery of the island
Serenity hold dearly in the hearts of many - a day
Without warning, trampling upon the sacred sands
Your heart bleeds… not wanting to see the next dawn

Glimmer of hope fades as Sol greets you at dawn
Laying beaten and abused—helpless on the cold sands
Luna left crying, silent witness on the mourning shores
The first horrible crime on this once peaceful island
Awakened the sleeping Vulcan, stirred the angry waves
Warning everyone not to set foot again, even for a day

Never in your wildest dreams, there would come a day
From volcanic ashes would rise again – our beloved island
More beautiful than ever, livelier at start of dawn
Innocence lost - long forgotten, erased by the waves
Not even a single footprint remain in the sands
Just signs of silent progress along its lovely shores

News of this island paradise reached far away shores
Beachcombers and surfers heeded the call of the waves
Treated like royalty by the friendly dwellers of the island