Dawn

This poem describes the dawn as seen from the bridge of a ship in the narrow China Strait that leads to the island of Samarai in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. 

The China Strait is about four nautical miles long, but only half a mile wide. The proximity of navigational hazards is such that it requires precise and faultless navigation.

Many of our sailors came from the islands of Milne Bay in the Louisiade Archipelago, and if time allowed, we would stop and drift to allow the men to pass trade goods to their ‘wantoks’ and hear the news from home.

The structure of this poem is inspired by the villanelle form of poetry, it borrows the nineteen-line structure and the concept of refrains, and uses literary devices like repetition of sounds and imagery to create a similar effect.

Dawn

I closely watch that labyrinthine pristine coast,
For the misted shores where the bush and waters meet,
Enshroud a world of secrets hidden by the night.

The muddy waters of ancient mangroves glisten,
In the subtle dawn with the faintest hint of light,
I closely watch that labyrinthine pristine coast.

A rain-laden sky emerges from the morning mists,
In painted hues of grey, apricot and pink that,
Unveils a world of secrets hidden by the night.

The air hangs humid, heavy with the tang of salt,
And fragrant with the morning smoke of village fires,
I closely watch that labyrinthine pristine coast.

The darkness vanquished by the cloudy light of day,
They paddle canoes from the shore to greet us, and,
Divulge their world of secrets hidden by the night.

The day brightens to their wantoks' murmured greetings,
As our sailors gather to hear the news from home,
I closely watch that labyrinthine pristine coast,
And see a world of secrets hidden by the night.

Photo by Gabriel Barranco on Unsplash








Location: Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

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