Pago Pago

So we made it back
To civilization
From our sea adventure
Or at least to
The American Samoan
Version of it.
It was there that
My brother,
My aunt and myself
Jumped ship
And decided to head
Our separate ways,
But in the few days
Before I headed off
Back to the university
For a more classical
Educational curriculum,
We added a couple
More adventures
To our take.
Sei and I rented a couple
Sunfish sailboats,
And sailed out of the harbor
To challenge
The major ocean swells
Just outside.
The Coast Guard took
A rather dim view
Of our recreation,
And after attempting
To go out and rescue us
Three separate times,
Made us get out of there.
I must admit
That it was a bit treacherous,
But by that time,
We were both fairly confident
Of our ability
To handle the ocean,
Well maybe
Just a little overconfident.
That first night
We found a local
Chinese restaurant
Which had a big
Circular table
With a large Lazy Susan
In the center.
We commandeered
Some chop sticks
And made he table into
A makeshift gambling table.
We would lay cash
On the table
And spin the wheel,
And whoever the stick
Ended up pointing to
Was the winner.
We must have had
Half the town
Watching in fascination
And perhaps wonder
As we carried on
And enjoyed ourselves.
As far as I know,
That table might still
Be used for that purpose
To this day!
Then later after we eat seafood
To our hearts content,
We extended
The evening
To one of the local bars
Where we discovered
Exactly what island hospitality
Is all about.
I think that was the night
We make up for
Three months of celibacy
Spent at sea.
I had read so many stories
By James Michener
About the island charm,
Stories like Hawaii
Tales of the South Pacific
And Rascals in Paradise,
And it was all true,
And we were definitely
Rascals in Paradise.