First Light, Barbados

Mornin’,

Star that lights all lives,

Even in the darkest places,

And why do I happen to land here

On Harrismith Beach, St. Philip, Barbados,

Alone, swaddled in beauty inexplicable,

At this early hour?
I weep. I smile. I awake.

Too much, really, all this.

Be still here, I counsel myself.
Remember:

See the star rising over the

Unbelievable blue-green ocean,

The sugar sand beneath your feet.

The coral walls, the swaying palms,
The caresses of the tradewinds.

You, uncloaked now,
Standing in those

Thrashing waves. 
Still smiling through tears,

A crazy tourist.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Where are the kings and the angels?

The paupers and the downtrodden?

Why this heaven on Earth for you?

And then the sun rises and 
You recognize this truth 
At the core of all things:

The world is fundamentally good.

Mornin’.