Shores of Wonder I keep getting on mailing lists for ocean cruises: A week or two of tropical islands Or icy fjords Or ancient ruins along desolate shores. I find the brochures to be interesting reading Even if I never really plan to go. One that came today was Different. At first glance it seemed like more of the same, With a page showing Terms and Conditions And lists of prices And diagrams of which room is where on the ship. But then came the good part: The description of the cruise itself. We set sail from Florida Toward the infamous Bermuda Triangle, To that secret point along the hypotenuse That marks the gateway To the kingdom of the Fairies. We follow the shores of that magical land, Stopping here and there to spend a day Exploring its cities and castles And even the market places, Although we are warned not to buy anything. Much of what looks like treasure there Will turn to dust and ashes When we bring it home. In the evening we retire to the safety of our ship. To watch and listen from afar As the fairies frolic in the moonlight. Were we to go and join them Our loved ones at home Might never see us again. On another day we drop anchor Out in the middle Of what looks like no place special. Then underwater cameras bring us Mermaid's-eye views Of what remains of Atlantis. The more adventurous may don scuba gear For a closer first-hand look. One corner of the map is marked "Here be Dragons". That does not deter us, For the tour company has made a treaty with them. In exchange for bits of treasure (included in the price of the tour) We are given safe conduct Through those otherwise perilous seas and islands As giant winged forms pass to and fro overhead. A few of the dragons let us tour their caves, Where we marvel at the treasures They have amassed over centuries, Along with half-melted armor that is all that remains Of many a brave but foolish knight. There is one area we dare not enter: The Sargasso Sea, graveyard of lost ships. We detour around it at a safe distance Lest we too come to grief there. Finally, our ship returns Through the secret gateway Along the hypotenuse of the Bermuda Triangle, Back to our "normal" world. I set the brochure down Next to the rest of the day's mail. While I don't think I will go, I do find the thought quite tempting. -- Tom Digby First Draft 11:03 Sun April 6 2008 Revised 02:26 Wed June 4 2008