An Island Cave Poem by RIC BASTASA

then there is this island which we brave
even with a storm

the boat is small like a leaf
the waves bigger than houses

and we are so silent afraid in the middle of
this confusion

we arrive there with relief as we sit
on a rock mountain

and then we are called to get inside
this island cave
of glistening stalactites and stalagmites

water as clear as air and cold as ice
lapped our feet and the sound of
slush is sweet as a call of

a beautiful maiden wanting to be hugged.