Letter from Ranna: Where Glade, Lagoon, and Sea Converse

A deserted forest path—

Leading, seemingly, to nowhere.

Engulfed by forest on either side,

The lagoon revealing itself—here and there,

Shy and provocative.

The path grows narrower,

The forest, thicker.

Treads and traces of animals—

Who?

Are they watching us now?

Blake’s Tyger coursing through my mind,

Hoping, in vain, for a glimpse

Of searing, flaming beauty.

And then—a glade,

Wild and fairy-tale-like,

Breathtaking in its loveliness.

Riots of flowers—too many to count,

Flaunting impossibly vivid hues.

A delicate breeze, scenting the scene.

A glade I want to get lost in,

And never be found.

But others rush forward—

Excited, awe-struck.

The lagoon again—and the sea,

Conversing gently:One in quiet tones,

The other—imperious.

We leave the fairy glade

And walk past the lagoon’s mouth,

Along Ranna Beach.

A lone swimmer or two,

A couple of fishermen,

A family or two,

A couple of dogs.

Just them, us,

The pristine shore

And the vast ocean.

Edge of heaven.

The sun sets. Dusk gathers.

Visitors and dogs drift away.

“Let’s go through the glade again,”

I plead—

But in vain.

“Too dark now.

Who knows what creatures lurk within?”

Alas!

I should have known-

That such beauty is encountered

But once in a lifetime.

From the Island's heat and hush, until the next letter,

-N