Fealty Avowed---a poem by stephen richard eng

Fealty Avowed

(in memory, King Juan I of Redonda:

John Gawsworth, 1912-1970)

(for J. D. Squires)

Redonda, Caribbean isle, remains

Whipped by the waves and gales of centuries, 

The brunt of instant, tropic torrent-rains,

Where birds and royal legend’ries

Combine.  Rude rock Redonda! No man stays

For long upon your cactused crags, and yet--

We close our eyes, and glimpse your greys

And browns:  our Empire where no sun has set.

 Redonda:  realm of loyal, exiled souls

Envisioning your cliffs and silver skies,

Your surf, your shoals, where tide uprolls

Rebuffing mariners amid the sea-bird cries…

Redonda.  Quaint, quixotic kingdom, far

And always very near to where we are.

02-15-81