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Isla Mona
by Chris Sorrenti
between Puerto Rico
and Dominican Republic
grotesque beauty
rises above the waves
a small isle
ruled only by Iguana
before continental shelf
drops to Atlantic depths
legend says
pirates’ treasure
hidden somewhere within
her myriad
ocean swept caves
at night
upon an uneasy wind
screams can be heard
beyond the cacti
guarding passage to plateau
ghosts of those
lost their way
for if seeking wealth
aboard Mona’s deck
let no friend do so alone
her limestone demeanor
easily cracked
holds many an explorer’s fate
speedy passage
ten, fifty, a hundred feet
to those same caverns below
© 2000
Photos courtesy of the Net
February 2019
1,940 hits as of March 2024
10/06/2006
Author's Note: I've never been to this island, and in fact discovered it in reading a book titled, Ghost Ships, True Stories of Nautical Nightmares, Hauntings, and Disasters by Richard Winer; available at Amazon.com. According to the book, it's one of those places some think is cursed, having seen many tragedies over the last few hundred years.
Posted on 10/06/2006
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Laura Doom on 10/06/06 at 12:59 PM Half way through reading this, I realised (no doubt influenced by the 'grotesque beauty' precursor) I had substituted guano for iguana :>
Anyway, I enjoyed this, particularly the inference (in my mind, at least :) regarding motivation - for 'explorer', read 'seeker of wealth'. A 'National Geographic' moment for me - I wonder, have you ever visited this place? |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 10/06/06 at 08:04 PM Well captured is the mystery of this beautiful island! Excellent, Chris. Thanks. |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 10/07/06 at 12:52 AM Great descriptive poem! Feel the isolation and danger! Takes desperate and addictive persons to attempt to conquer! Also, the age old necessity for some to "face down death"! |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 10/07/06 at 02:51 AM This puts me on the edge of my seat, takes me back in time with haunting possibilities. Well done. |
| Posted by Maureen Glaude on 10/08/06 at 01:53 AM haunting and so effective. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 10/08/06 at 12:54 PM goose-bumps and chills and a great desire to find out for myself....er....maybe....
Very cool poetry! |
| Posted by Ashok Sharda on 10/08/06 at 01:16 PM The Laws are supreme and I am not sure if there is any Law of curse but there is one we know as 'the Law of fate'and yet one we call 'the Law of accident'.In any case, the depiction is vivid and I wish I can be there some day guided by my fate and not of those explorers. haha |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 08/02/09 at 09:12 PM Pirates of the Caribbean have nothing on you, Chris. You make me want to see this isle. Your poem brings home its mystery and wonder. I enjoyed the read. |
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