After five weeks sought, still missing
from a two-day island jaunt gone awry
with only coconuts and adventure
hidden under the folded tarpaulin
packed in drifting boat, to survive,
hope drowned with the three youth
and their memorial services dotted
the island with grief of families’ loss
sinking into deep sorrow of this truth.

A large number to lose
even if one were not your son,
three out of 500 hundred, missing
while rainwater fell gently then
torrentially, heaven-sent
collected, consumed to quench
thirst for life of each young lad
wanting to mature in years
depending on coconut, raw fish,
lone seagull to sacrifice all they had.

Filo Filo, one of a youthful trio,
with only twelve feet of aluminum
separating them from a similar fate,
adrift for long, sunburned, salty days
in the sea’s wilderness 800 miles
from destination, found
dehydrated but giving thanks
for their miraculous salvation
by San Nikuna, on shortened
return, New Zealand-bound.

While the tuna boat's crew
small portions of fruit and fluids
did to the boys hunger provide,
the atoll of Atafu of the Tokelau
island group, many a mile an’
custom away from our tradition,
celebrated its day of Thanks
Giving, South Pacific style –
not a single day too soon
fifty days since embarkation.