When I say I’m an islander, I mean more than where I dwell

Questions come up from mainlanders, “On an island what do they even sell”

Questions like, “Do you have a grocery store anyway?”

“Yes, the Island Market, it’s just not open on Sundays”

Some remark, “You have to take a two-hour ferry boat to shop?!”

“Yes, and we don’t have any lights telling us when to stop?”

When I say I’m an islander I’m more than somebody surrounded by water

Every adult treats every child like their son or their daughter

When I play on the sports field, teachers and babies and grandparents cheer my name

When they are acting in community theatre, I do just the same

I was raised by a diverse, wonderful island population

That will greet me by name every time I visit one of the two gas stations

When I say I’m an islander I am a young man bred by the sea

When I say I’m an islander I was raised to not always think about me

When I say I’m an islander it’s the little things that make us who we are

From the nature lovers to the retired professionals, we are all a bit bizarre

When I say I’m an islander I state it with pride

because I know, in my heart, it’ll always be where I reside.

Roo Smith

Orcas Island

Editor’s Note: Island Market is open on Sundays.