Revelation

Sloping inwards, the beach was nearly a perfect curve, interrupted only by the jutting rocks hoping to sink my ship. The crew was quick and light thankfully, and easily dismissed these obstacles with swift action. Though as we came near the shore, a somber feeling overcame me; I surveyed with surprise an assortment of villagers. At first glance, one might think them cautious and evasive, but the minute details missed by most eyes told a story. Etched upon every generation there lay an insufferable amount of grief, half-concealed from the threat we posed by stopping on this lonely island after months of exploring. Seeking further clues to unmask this atrocity, large bonfires surfaced in my vision, transforming the scene I saw:

Coming upon the
Slate mo(u)rning shore and natives
Pyres scatter the sand

Shortly after the ship was moored and camp made, my scouts returned from their discovery missions bearing a myriad of signs indicating widespread disease. Every settlement was barricaded and all the inflicted confined, so that every scout was denied entry when offering to assist healing. The youngest surveyor mumbled in a daze of his encounter with a small native girl outside a village barricade. Recounted by this man, it became clear the child and her people were not willing to risk their remaining health with us. Unbidden but somehow accurate, an image of the young native came into my mind:

Little village girl
Running with all of her heart
Leaves behind all hope

My crew had now been settled for a fortnight among the foliage and animals as I planned a covert encroachment of the central village to examine the sick. I now watched as these plans were carried out, sensing the parties eagerness to be rid of the task before us. The dead of night pursued us as we padded through the dense bush beyond to a barricade guarding the village square. Instead of attempting to gain entrance, two of our number assumed guard posts, while we continued toward a small breach in the high wall. We the rested shortly as designated crew created an opening and urged us through the barrier. I silently departed the escort to a sick house named according to recent reports, finding a shallow doorway to enter through. Once inside, my eyes rested upon a woman so grotesque in color and body, only the title 'living dead' would have stood to justice. Pity filed through me as a knelt next to this creature I knew I could not save:

Soon to be a corpse
The ailing woman repents
Still her soul must sleep

When I left the infirmary, my heat pounded wildly, foretelling of some misfortune to fall upon us. Our meeting point was soon crowded, and we attempted a valiant escape. Unfortunately, archers masked in earth surrounded us, therefore forcing surrender. I was guided deep into the village, passing houses of increasing grandeur. We then stopped before a palace christened in multitudes of flora, but instead of harsh punishment, our party was welcomed to a large tea-room. Centering herself among the tables, a lone woman of unmistakable royal lineage severed every plan I had made with her icy glare:

Bowing before her
This creature of ice and glass
Vanished are my hopes

Despite my worries, the noble queen listened to my reasoning with grim indecision, or even the humility learned from considering help. Finally, sensibility was reached as we agreed to find a cure for the raging disease, while capital farmers provided for our welfare. A compromise reached, our parties took to the streets and publicly declared our bargain, causing flared tempers to clash:

Expressions do rise
As leaders bond the people;
White knuckles appear

My only hope to console these people is for every life to be given a standing chance if and when a treatment is found.

After weeks of determined research, a miraculous cure was found from the vein of an eucalyptus tree slowly drained. The process of administering the medication was tiresome but wholly satisfying as many faces still loomed in my memory, radiating near worship and unconfined adoration. Still the ground was my enemy as I trudged the way back to my ship, distracting myself with the euphoric songs of villagers:

My feet plow the earth
But hearts soar into the sky
What joy lifts me up!

The time had come to leave behind my tropical struggles and heartaches. For every pain I had withstood, a child's embrace had shadowed me dearly as I left the island. My purpose in this world was clarified, just as a soldier fights, just as a mother weeps. Forever are the conflicts that set life afire and give us the conviction to triumph in our painstaking trials:

Parades light the beach
As I emphasize with heroes
Wars, families,......diseases

Human frailty is the insufferable crutch I lean on faithfully despite my acknowledgment of greater powers. An echo resounds among my thoughts, slowly dissipating my release from humanity and loyalty to omniscience.