The Gift

Please make me a favourite night ", The Spirit of the Island, wishful, said.

A sky that will be bright With millions of diamante pieces spread In glittering glory So the listening seas Encircled ar| d reef, breathed deep.

Inhaled the Island's mood, and silent trees By ruffling breeze were waked from sleep.

Below pearl glimmer of smooth creamy sands The phosphorous lit the ocean fragments. Stark '-asuannas, waxing droopily to strands Of palm, hear sea-depths bubbling on rock-mass dark.

Now blended with a song of wavelets piling Onto shore, the bird-wings' rhythm low, above.

Was harmonising, as the Island Spirit, smiling, Gave this night of hers to us with love.

AAackay, Queensland

Val Busuttin