FOR Promptly Poetry Challenge (2023-24)

Camping on the Island (Free Verse 28 Lines)

What memories! What memories!
In Eighth Grade,
Camping on a tiny island
Tents pitched to avoid high tide.

Thick socks and shoes
Saw-scaled vipers about
Mangroves all around
Octopi and puffer fish swimming alongside.

Clear water, colourful coral
Peace.
Sheer bliss.

No light at night
Except that of the light house
On the bigger island nearby.
Light flash every fifteen seconds
Quick, see whatever you need to!

Dinner time.
"Take whatever's on offer, no fussing allowed."
Sitting on the sand,
Enjoying the meal.
Light flash!
"Caught you!"
He was trying to sneak the brinjals
he loathed
into her plate - at the fifteenth second.
He got a double helping of brinjals in exchange!

What memories, what memores
A picture is truly worth a thousand memories.