Caribbean Moments

Dancing Gecko

gecko dancing along
the wooden planks
under my bed /
i can hear him scurrying about
the cabin in the dead of night
while I am trying to sleep /
for a hardcore Nieu Yourka like me
there is some apprehension
in having a living creature—
especially a slimy one with a
long tail and flicking tongue—
ramble about the closed confines
of my tropical shack /
but it is all completely fine /
i give him the space he needs
to do his little moonlight tango
and he gobbles up all the mosquitoes
that would otherwise pick me to pieces
in the dead of night /

.......perfect......symmetry


After the Storm

The Caribbean rain
moves in swiftly from the east
and without any warning.
Only a few minutes ago
I was dousing myself in the
balmy rays of the afternoon sun.
Then, before I could even move
to the safety of shelter,
the sky opened up upon me,
drenching me
.......right down
.............to my spleen.
I suppose I should be peeved
at having my lazy sunfest
so rudely interrupted,
but this is the Caribbean
and even the thunderstorms
have their glorious appeal.

A short wait
beneath the kayak shack
as the heavy drops
splash playfully on the
shimmering blue water.
Before I can even settle in,
the sun returns
brilliant as ever,
then a stunning rainbow
flashes across the sky—
a gift from the gods,
perhaps?

Within minutes I am back
on the sandy beach,
soggy novel in my hand,
as thought nothing
happened at all.
And indeed nothing really did…
just a typical afternoon
Caribbean-style.