You jewel that stole my heart away

I roamed your beaches every day

a gem between the sky and sea

enchanting home you were for me.

Your families stole my heart with warm embrace

those smiles in common beauty with your grace.

Your colors –

they the splendor that you spilled.

To gaze a brighter palette no one will.

I left you once some thirty years ago,

my life forever changed by your tableau.

Then to embrace your shores a month before

Dorian’s flogging –

’til

you

were

no

more.

Abaco.

My Abaco, oh why?

A mound of rubble weeps beneath the sky.

Your people swept to sea in terror dealt

more searing pain perhaps was never felt.

I see you in my mind from way back when.

Abaco,

thank God I knew you then.