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I'm feeling sad..., somewhat scared, and apprehensive about this "Grand  Dame" of all adventures in my life,so far!  Yet, at the same time I am curious as to what mysteries await me at the other end of this exciting airplane flight.  All of these different emotions flood my senses, threatening  to
overpower me, one by one.  I turn my head to look outside the window, and down below me I behold the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever seen.  A tropical paradise!  My florid Island home, embraced and caressed by the aqua colored waters that surround it's graceful, alabaster shores. "Goodbye", wave the Palms trees.  "Farewell", whispers the Rain Forest. "Vaya con Dios", sings the Coqui."Goodbye, my Island home!"  "My verdant, tropical mother!" "My one and only true love!" "Goodbye.... Adios...!"

MY ISLAND MOTHER
Just like a young and tender sapling,
You nourished me since birth.
My limbs grew strong yet slender,
 Island mother, home on earth.
My spirit you did nurture,
with your beauty, so sublime.
Your loving breeze caressed me,
For mankind had no time.
Your warm tropical sunshine,
Did wake me up each day,
In time to hear the last of the Coqui sing
Before they went away.
I roamed around your forests,
Ran up and down your hills.
You loved me Island mother
Like no one ever will.
I miss the gentle kisses,
Placed on my youthful cheeks,
By playful drops of water,
As I splashed upon your creeks.
I laid down on your gentle ground,
On many star-filled nights,
And safe within your warm embrace,
My spirit would take flight.
I'd travel to the stars so high,
And look down upon the earth,
No where else did I want to venture to,
But to the Island of my birth.
And like that tender sapling,
They pulled me, roots and all,
Transplanted me into some  foreign soil,
Where I grew strong and tall.
There's only one thing lacking,
My spirit they can't find,
Though many have been searching,
It must have stayed behind.
In the shadows of the Palm trees,
Dancing with the ocean breeze,
On the most majestic Island,
There my spirit dwells at ease!

 

BY,  HILDA M. SINCLAIR

August 4. 98