Antiguan Allure

An abstract line dissects a diaphanous, teal tinged Caribbean sea
from the bristly, blusterous Atlantic
The cobalt belligerence of an abysmal unrelenting ocean contemplates
bluntly the delicate turquoise dimensions of calm doldrums.

Amiable drowsy winds stir the tapering  jade needles of coconut palm leaves
on a blanched shell-strewn beach somehow filtering the acerbic sun
Sand crabs scuttle for the parasol of a solitary stone,
their sidewise, staccato steps, shifting with little heed

Equatorial sultriness engulfs a careless day, an electric indigo cloudless sky
embraces drowsy wooden bungalows engulfed in lush pistachio ferns
protruding, levitated by their weary stilts
each vieing for prominence on the sea scarred bluff

Crackled, kaleidoscopic paint exfoliates from dog eared huts
their russet corrugated rooves laying unsteadily on seemingly unbalanced walls
potholed, patchy  gardens complete with three legged whitish plastic chairs,
generations of decaying, disintegrating cars radiate a blithe, careworn reality.

A dank, dense steaming rainforest obscures the breadfruit and avocado trees
themselves camouflaging pineapple fields,
young plants anticipating occasional liquid sunshine
provides a luxuriant lush calypso portrait

Nelsons dock stands ethereal, shadows of ageing seafarers, windjammers
sailing effortlessly into port glancing upwards to Shirley Heights
whose gusty highland surveys a constant shimmering perspective
Devils Bay withstands purposeful swell, a continuous primitive struggle

Steel descants drift through a rejuvenated evening
Reggae rhythms pulsate a Marley tune
The whole island taps its feet to contented blessings
the moonshadow reflects a silver glimmery eternal line across the darkened surf

Written by Terry Custance