Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 49

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Dominica.

Have you heard?—have you seen?—have you visited there?

This small island of mountains? Caribbean* air?

Where the ocean in hurricanes rages and roils?

And where, yes, there’s a lake, and it actually boils?

Where the beaches are not, shall we say, tourist traps?

Where the beaches aren’t littered with folks taking naps?

Where the jungles are dense? Where a parrot is king?

(It's the national bird—have you seen such a thing?)

Where in ’78 from the English it broke?

If you’re lost in the jungle it’s not just a joke?

Where I’d love to go visit—well, somewhat … in part.

But I’m just such a chicken inside of my heart.

*pronounce it kuh-RIB-ee-uhn and it works, rhythmically!