ON A REEF EDGE IN THE MALDIVES

by John Kolyav

Here ends the reef
And begins the sapphire world,
The unknown abyss!

Spectacular corals, fishes,
Sea anemones and sponges
Make the eternal marine spring
That excels the best on land

A lion fish, like the keeper
Of some mysterious treasure-world beyond
Is fiercely looking at me,
The intruder in mask and snorkel
Though a small blue cleaner wrasse
Is dancing around in a pleasant way

My friends far back
Are happy with the shallow lagoon

Should I swim forward?
There’ll be killer whales,
Deadly sea snakes and sharks
Yet, I must go, leaving behind my friends
And the beautiful reef!

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