Isle Of Loneliness Poem by Ron Kaye

There is an island I have seen
In dream and wanderings of the night,
A shimmering isle of bluing sheen
Etched in Electra's crackling light;
For all its beauty glowing there
It is an island of despair -
The Isle of loneliness.

Compelling forces round me steal
And trip me gently to the shore,
Where lies a boat in gloom surreal
To beckon those who yearn for more;
It is the ship that leaves each day
Toward the Isle's enfolding bay.
- -
A journey short across the brine,
So swiftly does the shore recede,
The faceless ones around me pine
Hope borne this isle will slake their need,
A gaping yaw, a spillway wide,
A pathway to where dreams reside,

Soft music sweet to lull and lure
Enfolds all those who here do dwell,
The upward winding path leads sure
To countless faceless ones of shell.
I higher climb, and join the throng
And seated, listen to the song,
On the Isle of loneliness.
- -
A distant call so weakly cried
Awakens those who wish to leave,
"Come, all aboard, for the other side,
Do not remain and here bereave".
Oh how the music begs me stay
To blend, as one, with those of clay.

The easy downward path invites
To leave behind all thought of gloom.
Why linger, ‘mid the fears and frights,
My passage waits, there is still room.
Another makes the downward wend,
An outstretched hand says, "Be my friend."
- -
The azure light intensifies
As if to bind us to the shore
Aboard, we hear each other's sighs
We will be faceless ones no more.
Of all those ferried to believe
We, were the only ones to leave
The Isle of Loneliness.
(March 1994)