Island Christmas

Island Christmas

Everybody knew everybody--
And their business.
It was a small island.

And for the parade...
Everyone would show.
Everyone would dance.
Everyone would...

I dressed as a pirate.
It's how they saw me.
Eye patch and hat,
Bare-chested--
With a sack full of gold--
Those chocolate coins...

The parade went by,
And we lined the way,
Awaiting our turn.
Everyone would play.

A friend of a friend...
Who could be anyone,
Who would be everyone,
Introduced us.

Beautiful!
Half naked.
Ready to dance.
Jeans from a time forgotten...
Barefoot. Bedazzled.
Glow-rope for a belt.

She sidled up close.
I wrapped my hand... around.
She demanded a kiss.
I acquiesced.
In that moment...
Bonded--
Paired.
For all to see.
For all to know.

When it came our time,
She danced.
I gave out gold.
Each to our roles.
But it was she--
Who they hooted...
And hollered...
Most of all.

Later we mingled.
I emptied my bag.
We talked.
"I was in America once!"
She happily reported.
"Your English is very good..."
She'd heard it before.

No matter the triteness,
The choppy rapport:
I wouldn't say no.
Nor would she take no...
For an answer.

And then later, at her shanty,
Under the moon,
Me in the doorway...
And her at my feet.

I felt like a king.
God of the world...
As moonbeam tipped waves,
Crashing,
Curled in delight.

Over too soon.
But always it's so...
And in the darkness,
The distance,
The giggling laughter,
The joy.

And as I went to my store,
And her to the shore:
Just like my gold,
What is freely given...
Can never be--
Stole.

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Island Christmas

by

Brett Paufler