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Island Hopping

ISLAND HOPPING
by

JOHN M. ARRIBAS


My first day of community service at Glen Oaks
Assigned to spend time with a few elderly folks
Spotted an old gentleman staring out into space
Weathered beaten hands and a sun etched face
How are you today old timer, as I grasp his hand
A firm grip followed from a once powerful man


I had just returned from an island hopping trip
Told him about the islands and the fabulous ship
I went to St. Croix, St. Martins and Martinique
Stopped at Montserrat to overlook the peak
So many activities hardly any time to sleep
Shore excursions great, unbelievably cheap 


The old gentleman turned and looked away
Choked up on something he started to say
Room fell silent for the longest spell 
Son, I took a voyage that’s so hard to tell
It started and ended in the cauldrons of hell  
Then sighed so quietly as the tear drops fell				

My pals and I went on an island hopping trip
Sleeping on the deck on an overcrowded ship


First stop was at a place called Guadalcanal
There was so much noise, a percussion chorale
The local occupants got upset at our arrival
Just getting ashore was a matter of survival
All we wanted was to use their landing strip 
We were so insistent, they left, gave us the slip

ISLAND HOP (2)


Next stop was an atoll, place called Tarawa
Desolate,  awaiting brave mens soul to devour
We had a difficult time getting onto the beach
Tides were  low,  corals too shallow to breach
The locals didn’t take kindly to our arrival
Being denied admittance just wasn’t our style


Next stops were Kwajalein, Saipan and Peleliu
At each and every landing we left quite a few
Inhabitants of these isles were a  hostile horde
Yet our perseverance could not be ignored
We combed every inch in our search to achieve
Removal of the objectors, there was no reprieve
We overcame the objections to our presence
Committing these isles to perpetual reverence


Most hostile place  was an island called Iwo 
Soft sands made progress unbearably slow
Sinking sands made firm ground hard to reach
We left great numbers, still, on the beach
It took great courage to get over the dune
Each attempt exposed by a cloudless moon
Valor and bravery continuously put on display
Total commitment was the order of the day


A planned six day excursion took sixty days
Hard to evict the denizens  out of the caves
Some of these folks were so hard headed
Sealed up the entrances, left them embedded
Our single purpose  for “ Super Forts” to reach
More than paid for by those left on the beach
Island hopping seems innocent phrase to say 
Boils down to how much one is willing to pay

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