Walking Flashes in Eleuthera Bahamas
Governor’s Harbor
by Hy Sobiloff
When the rain finished
I walked barefoot and slid
I walked mostly with myself
Picked wood shapes from the ground
The moisture washed me
My sneakers made a pocket for the stones and pieces
I came upon some grass
And a lovely stone stubbed my toe
I hollered to the tree
I walked for myself
Saw such things that skies will tell
I gazed at the heat colors
Sparkling firework tints
My eyes blinked at its stirring beauty
The things to see walking
Are too true
I held and smelled the grass leaves
Today makes sense to me
My feet are better
My heart is warm
And here I am
PHOTOGRAPHER’S PHOTO CAPTION: Stunning beaches and abandoned lighthouse at the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. Rock formations, caves, palm and casuarina trees, turquoise water, and coral reefs abound. Photo by Sarah Glashagel, used by permission.
NOTE: Eleuthera refers both to a single island in the archipelagic state of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and to its associated group of smaller islands. Known in the 17th century as Cigateo, it lies 50 miles east of Nassau. It is long and thin—110 miles long and in places little more than one mile wide. Eleuthera’s eastern side faces the Atlantic Ocean, and its western side faces the Great Bahama Bank. The topography of the island varies from wide rolling pink sand beaches to large outcrops of ancient coral reefs, Its population is approximately 11,000. The first significant number of British settlers arrived in 1648. Under British rule for over 300 years, the Bahamas became independent in 1973.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hy Sobiloff (1912-1970) was film producer, poet, and philanthropist. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, he attended the University of Arizona, Boston University, and New York University. His poetry collections include Dinosaurs and Violins, In the Deepest Aquarium, Breathing of First Things, and Hooting Across the Silence.
POETRY and PLACES 