The Soul of An Island Girl: A Sonnet

My poetry challenge this month was to write a sonnet. This, my first-ever attempt, encapsulates the journey of a character in the Lighthouse Island series of novels I’m writing, and is told in her voice as she addresses her beloved island.  Each segment is loosely based on the sentiments expressed in one of four songs recorded by Jimmy Buffett (Wonder Why We Ever Go Home, Island, Tin Cup Chalice and Back to the Island). 

Island!  This girl’s come home!  Salt air and marsh!

So far away, I thought, from trouble’s reach.

But why, oh why must island life turn harsh?

All hope goes up in flames.  I flee the beach.

Across causeways and hills and plains I drive–

uphill for days. My view expands, or so

you’d think, but I can’t breathe when I arrive.

Mountain air is too thin and I must go

back east to where I can heal and feel whole,

with sun and sand and ever-changing  sea,

where air’s not thin but soothes my skin and soul.

I know not what my future life will be.

               But no matter what, I’ve always known where.

               Island, I’ll be home soon, to stay and die there.