One day I landed on an island
And took a hammer in my hands.
I took the nails that I needed
And made myself a habitat.
It wasn't much, it wasn't tall,
But it had a roof and it had four walls.
It may have only been a shack,
But it was mine and
I wouldn't take it back.

One day a storm hit the island.
I took my boat and sailed away.
I took a photo before I left
And stared at it for many days,
While I waited, wanting home,
But besides the photo I was all alone.
I looked and saw the storm abate.
I reversed the fore
And homeward made.

One day I made it to the island
And took it upon myself to find
My shack that the storm attacked.
I looked upon a gutted rind.
It wasn't left, the walls were gone
Wherever the wind had fallen upon.
Around the chimney twined
Ruin, and a past
I should have left behind.

One day I fled from the island
And took nothing in my sack.
I took an empty bag wanting
New memories to fill the pack.
I wasn't sad, but had regret.
I'd tried returning whence I already left.
I now know it was just a shack.
I tore the photo twain,
For we cannot go back.