The Poetic Pleasures of Prince Edward Island

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Author's Note: This piece contains reflections and recommendations based on a recent stay in Prince Edward Island as well as some haiku that I wrote while inspired by the sublime island scenery. If you like my poetic musings, see also Mountain Springs: Haiku from Vermont.



I concur with St. Augustine who wrote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." My travel "library," so to speak, was enhanced by a return trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI) during the first two weeks of June 2016. My family (wife and 13-year-old son) and I had previously visited the island in 2014 and were so entranced that we had to return. This time we rented a peaceful house in a small speck of a community called Stanley Beach, which is located in the central coastal region of the island. The weather on PEI can be spotty, but we were greeted by sunny weather with temperatures in the 70F range during the stay, so we took advantage of this atypical weather. There are many beaches on PEI, but the home owner of our rental directed us to a secluded spot frequented by residents called Cousin's Shore. The red-sand beach that framed the crystal blue sea was stunning. Here are two haiku that I wrote inspired by the marriage of sand and sea:



A blazing blue sea

Lapping languorously on

The fine crimson sand.



Sizzling summer sky

Melted into a calm sea

Like smooth blue ice cream.



We as a family like to bike ride, so we rented bikes from a company called Outside Expeditions in nearby North Rustico. There are many lovely bike paths on the island, most of which are flat or have only moderate inclines. We enjoyed the 18km (12 mile) round trip along the north shore from North Rustico to Cavendish. There are many places along the way to stop, look at the fishing boats on the water or head down to the beach. After a healthy bike ride, we also enjoyed excellent food at two local eateries that we highly recommend: On the Dock Eatery and the Blue Mussel, both of which can be found on the harbor in North Rustico.

We also took a day trip to the West Point Lighthouse Museum on the far western edge of PEI. The lighthouse was built in 1875 to warn mariners away from a five-mile-long reef. The lighthouse was automated in 1963 but was eventually decommissioned and is now a museum and boutique hotel. During the time it was in operation, however, it had only two keepers in nearly 90 years! The first keeper, known as Lighthouse Willie, served from 1875 to 1925 and the second keeper served from 1925 to 1963. While the job of being a lighthouse keeper certainly sounds romantic to today's ears, the job was tough and lonely.

If you visit PEI, you also should take advantage of the talented musicians on the island. We were lucky enough to be staying during PEI's Small Halls Festival, which showcases musicians from around the maritime provinces. There are over 50 concerts at small venues across the island over a 10-day period. So there are plenty of musical offerings from which to choose. We were particularly enchanted by the performance of Matthew Byrne , a musician from Newfoundland. His lovely ballads created a mesmerizing evening of song. I highly recommend his music. Again, a haiku written after the concert:





The twilight lingers

In summer skies. Haunting sea

Songs drift through the air.





While PEI has many attractions and events, the island landscape itself is its greatest calling card. With its confluence of the blue sea and sky, red sand and soil and rolling green fields of barley and potatoes, PEI returns you to nature with each breath, step and glance you take. We relished the time we spent there, but the time went too fast. As Virgil wrote: "Optima dies. . .prima fugit." Or "The best days are the first to flee." But we will return to Prince Edward island. It is too lovely to never return to it. I leave you with these final haiku:





The day slipped slowly

Into its sultry nightdress--

Embellished with pearls.





A gentlemanly

Moon rose and asked the shy dark

Waves to dance with him.

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