ISLAND COTTAGE

for Frances Vaughan

Over the years and many visits,

since no one was at home,

imagination was my entry,

allowed me morning coffee 

on the small front deck,

the privilege of touching down lightly,

lingering there.

Today an invitation came

from the poet

whose cottage it happens to be.

Inside, it is trig and trim

as a small ship’s cabin.

Paintings give life to its whiteness

and, from every window,

we look out on the leeward sea.

Today, dream and reality

have met most happily.

I thank you for making it so.

Marjorie Mir