A long trip to the island country of Iceland
A land where fire and ice compete
To form geysers, waterfalls, and volcanos.
A land I had thought was barren,
Surprised to see such greenery, lichen, and moss,
And the sparkle of finger-like coastlines of fjords.
A land of mountains, glaciers, black beaches, and lava fields
And the re-planting of what were once birch forests
Made bare by the ravages of early settlers.
A land with stories to tell of myths and Vikings,
Of a diverse people working together,
Of compromise and altruism and compassion.
A land of mostly Nordic and Gaelic immigrants
Who in 930 created the first parliament
A democracy honored by us with a statue.
What pleasure to feel the ice-cool air, taste pure water,
Eat hydroponic tomatoes, freshly-caught cod,
Lamb and low-fat skyr from grass-fed sheep and cows
And what a disappointment to return home and find
So much dishonesty, greed, racism, ageism,
And politics thicker than reason or blood.
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