Deadly Beauty

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

Standing on deck this tropical night
when stars were near
and the moon washed the surface of the dark sea
into a pool of mysterious light
and I began vanishing into its splendour,
becoming transparent, a part of nature,
the sea and sky.

My body began leaning forward,
eyes transfixed by the pool of enchanting radiance,
my grip on reality loosened
I had no defense against a nature calling my name.

Then, when I was about to fall into serenity mother’s face appeared
she had lost two children
I was the only one left.
Her grief pulled me back
from beauty’s deadly allure.
No, not yet but one day
I’ll be a part of all the wonders I’ve seen.