Imago Mundi

(Inspired by a mediaeval map of the world.)

Though you surround me with a bitter river

of tears and longing, you enclose me

with islands like the seven points of a star:

to the east where love shines in your eyes

like the dawn; west to islands of desire

where the light is brighter than sunset or stars.

But you want to lure me to an island unknown to navigators

even winged birds cannot reach,

north to a land where the sun is not visible.

You say Trust me. Why do you taunt me

with the bliss of an island off the edge

of the known world? Here is my centre. You.

Commended in the Poetry on the Lake competition, 2010, judged by James Harpur.