*** Denotes previously unpublished work
1/. Foreword
2/. Over the Ocean
A poem about the love of being at sea
3/. Dark Caribbean Rum
A poem about a highly esteemed libation
4/.*** The Christmas Present
A story from Sandy Cay, British Virgin Islands about a daring resue
5/. Sailor’s Farewell
A poem about looking back near the end
6/.*** Adventure on the Low Seas
A story from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, about entertaining guests, though not how intended.
7/.*** The Procrastinator
A poem about getting it done …..or not
8/.*** Tact and Diplomacy
A story from Road Town, Tortola, about a bureaucratic encounter
9/. Hurricane Tree
A poem about recovery from disaster
10/.*** The Deflatable Dinghy
A story from English Harbour, Antigua, about making an impression, of sorts
11/.*** Angus Donald and the Storm
An epic poem about heroism
12/. Uninvited Caller
A story from St Lucia and Florida about a tale of two searchlights
13/. Wrecked
A poem about regrets
14/.*** Change of Luck
A story from English Harbour, Antigua about turning a corner
15/. Tavern Not Far From the Shore
A poem about sea folk ashore
16/. Delivery Delayed
A story from the Exumas and Nassau,Bahamas, about an ill-fated voyage in pirated waters
17/.*** A Sailor’s Rivals
A poem about the sea versus family life
18/.*** Hasta Siempre Commandante
A story from Cuba about changing perceptions
19/. The Shipwreck
A poem about loss and loneliness
20/.*** A Finger in the Eye
A story from Tortola, BVI, and St John, USVI, about a medical response during a hurricane
21/. The Call
About a fictitious rescue and a father’s compassion
22/. Switch to Channel 12, Over
A story from Nanny Cay, British Virgin Islands, about bare boat anchor panky
23/. A Man ‘Mongst Other Men
A poem about maturing at sea
24/.***A Docking Good Time
A story from Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, BVI, about too much fun
25/.***Ship of Eternal Solitude
A poem about being wretchedly alone
26/.***Doctor’s Orders
A story from Antigua about unconventional medicine
27/. The Aftermath
A poem about the morning after a hurricane
28/.***Justice vs. Legality
A story from Nanny Cay, British Virgin Islands, about vigilantism
29/. The Volunteers
A poem about the quiet heroes of Virgin Islands Search And Rescue)
30/.***The Old Pirate’s Treasure
A story from the Anegada Reef, British Virgin Islands about treasure hunting
31/. The Selkie Son
A poem about returning to where you belong
32/.***A Duffer’s Tale
A story from Montserrat about a first golf game
33/. Shattered Dreams
A poem about when life doesn’t work out
34/.***Chaka Zulu
A story from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, about a sixth sense
35/. The First Tripper
A poem about pride from teaching the next generation
36/. A Whale of a Time
A story from Flamands Bay,St Barths, about what the charter guests didn’t see
37/. The Lake
A poem about yearning for the ocean
38/.***Snowboarding Island Style
A story from Marina Cay,British Virgin Islands about a Caribbean ski slope
39/.***The Legend of the Fishing Sloop
A poem about not putting to sea in a storm
40/.***You Don’t Need to Get Involved
A story from Sir Francis Drake’s Channel, BVI, about minding your own business
41/.***Dusky Lady
A poem about heredity
42/.***Mano a Mano at Mingo Cay
A story from the Eastern Cays, St Thomas, USVI, about winning a race and losing it
43/.***The Steamship Lines
A poem about the merchant fleets
44/.***Avoidable Mayday
A story from New York Harbour about one of those days
45/. His Secret Mistress
A poem about loving two demanding women
46/. Voice in the Storm
A story from BVI, USVI and Culebra, Puerto Rico, about uniting when all else is torn apart
47/.***In Decision
A poem about being torn between the reality and the dream
48/.***Size Really Doesn’t Matter
A story from Ascension Island and Saint Helena about how little can be significant
49/.***Feral
A poem about finding solace on land, for a change
50/.***Impossible Dream
A story fromTortola, BVI and San Juan, Puerto Rico, about one man’s triumph over tragedy
51/.***Nomad
A poem about wanderlust
Afterword:***If I Could Change
A poem about our place in the natural world in which we live
By Guest Poet: Courtney Scherer-Scott
53/.*** TROPICAL
A poem about reflections of paradise
54/.*** From Palm Trees to Pollution
A poem bout leaving and yearning for paradise