This Island Man

      This island man
      In his lighthouse watches
      And lets his disturbed ear hear
      Strangers roaring over
5     The silentest crest
      Of a sea at peace with itself.
      Strangers in lifeboats gaily pursuing
      What I cannot pursue myself.
      Never in all my handholding days
10    As the trees shadowed my friends
      Did I know myself the island I wore
      Skirted with thin flesh
      Deep and dense as sand;
      And the stars silent as ministers
15    Have watched my days unclasp.
      O stranger rowing over
      Clasp you an arrow or glass?
      Now the stars like spectators
      Crowd to this lulling shore
20    And alone in my clothes
      I let days and birds pass
      Quiet as a radar's sweep.
      Shall I go to the boats
      Unloading my griefs or keep
25    Eye and ear in my lighthouse locked?
      O stranger rowing over
      Clasp you an arrow or glass?

 

From the collection "Hymns"

Written by Gregg Glory [Gregg G. Brown]

More information available on gregglory.com.