First Moments On Shell Island. Poem by Miki Byrne

First Moments on Shell Island.


Sweet days of doing nothing stretch out.
I am bubbling. Sea in my ears. Sky in my eyes.
Singing waves dance ashore, fling frilly petticoats
upon biscuit sand. I spin-arms out. Empty.
Fill up on peace. See all the blues and greys
in the world, painted on sea and sky. Breathe clean air.
Take the island into my arms. Grip grass with my toes.
A teasing breeze strokes me. Lifts my hair like a lover.
I am light. Weightless now. Slide into the palette of this island.
Dip into it like a brush to watercolour. Turn toward bright waves.
Gratefully shatter into sparks of light that glitter upon water.