Bounty by Ted Guhl

Here Christian walks the white earth
edged in blue and green,
and how the sea-bird's rough cry
corrupts his childhood dream.

There are two islands in his soul,
one far away, one near.
The far, no farther than a ship
might pass in a year.

The near as close as any home
that waits for any man;
the blue and green are the sky and sea,
the white - this island's sand.

The children laugh, his family sings
and I call him wise;
For with two islands in his soul,
his choice is paradise.