LAST DAY ON MONHEGAN
Columbus Day, 2002

 
The mist dribbles down, heavy with salt
stirred around by wind from the East
scooped up from spray on White Head, Black,
Burnt Head and Lobster Cove.
Surf explodes skyhigh like geysers 
with shuddering, thunderous terror.

A child and her father run down the road
in haste to board the Elizabeth Ann
the girl’s yellow poncho behind her
like butterfly wings catching the wind.
A fog curtain descends between us
and the mainland
the final day of the visitors’ season.

The island heaves a sigh of relief.

Sally Woolf-Wade

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