Exploring Bermuda’s Enduring Allure: Part III, Echoes of Myth, Lore, and Literature

‘A thing of beauty’ may be a joy for ever, but most beautiful things, whether corporal or natural, are shrouded in a certain mystique, a mystery and intrigue that fascinates but also frightens, attracts but also intimidates. Bermuda is no exception.
Bermuda is an enchanting siren - sultry, sensuous and bewitching - with an indescribable beauty and an attraction that is far more than strong. It casts a spell on you, and one must muster all one’s will to break free of this spell. Like the mythical women of Kamakhya of India, where once men go, they never want to return to their families and home, Bermuda has an attraction that is near fatal.
Bermuda's very name conjures images of mystery and intrigue, a place where reality blurs with myth and the veil between worlds grows thin. From the legendary tales of lost civilizations to the enigmatic allure of the Bermuda Triangle, the island's landscape is steeped in a mosaic of myth and mystery that has captivated storytellers for generations.
The Bermuda Triangle
One such mystery lying amidst its beauty is old as time itself—the infamous Bermuda Triangle, a patch of ocean shrouded in myth and legend. Countless ships and aircraft have vanished without a trace within its boundaries, leaving behind a legacy of intrigue and speculation that continues to captivate the imagination of explorers and scholars alike. And while many claim to have unravelled the mystery, the suspense and romance of this fatal attraction remains unabated. 
And yet, this dark aspect has not diminished to draw from all over the world the best of writers and poets, painters and musicians, performers and politicians. In the hushed whispers of Bermuda's shores, there echoes a chorus of voices—poets, writers, and dreamers—who have been drawn to this enigmatic isle by the siren song of its myth, lore, and timeless beauty. For centuries, Bermuda has served as muse and inspiration, igniting the imaginations of those who seek solace in the embrace of its azure waves and verdant hills.
A Port of Call for Poets and Dreamers
Bermuda continues to beckon poets and dreamers from far and wide, offering sanctuary to those who seek refuge from the chaos of the modern world. From secluded coves where the sea sings lullabies to windswept cliffs where echoes of ancient tales linger in the salty breeze, the island offers endless inspiration to those who dare to listen.
Among those who have succumbed to Bermuda's beguiling charm are literary luminaries whose words have immortalized the island's beauty and mystique. Mark Twain, enchanted by Bermuda's pink sands and turquoise waters, penned reverent prose that captured the essence of the island's allure, while William Shakespeare, in his play "The Tempest," immortalized Bermuda's spirit in the character of Ariel, the ethereal sprite who dances upon the waves.
A Journey into Bermuda's Soul
"In the heart of the Atlantic lies an island like no other. Bermuda, with its pink sands and azure waters, is a sanctuary for the soul. Here, amidst the whispers of the wind and the gentle lull of the tide, one can find solace in the embrace of nature's beauty." – wrote one author who preferred to remain anonymous. And another one mused, "Bermuda, where time stands still and the sea sings songs of old. Here, amidst the ruins of forgotten civilizations and the whispers of ancient tales, one can glimpse the eternal dance of light and shadow that weaves the fabric of the universe." 
In a poem titled ‘Island Reverie’, Langston Hughes celebrates  Bermuda thus,
In Bermuda's breeze, I find my peace, 
Where time and space forever cease. 
With every wave that kisses the shore, 
I find my soul, forevermore.
And Sylvia Plath penned these beautiful sentiments in her ‘Whispers of the Atlantic’ 
In Bermuda's depths, secrets lie, 
Where the ocean's whispers never die. 
Amidst the coral reefs, lost and found, 
Bermuda's mystique forever astounds.
The quotes, proses and poetries describing Bermuda are countless but more significantly, they are priceless as they capture the essence of Bermuda, from its timeless beauty to its mystical allure, inviting readers to embark on a journey of discovery and wonder.
Exporters of Smiles and Memories
Centuries ago, this tiny island could export tobacco and a little quantity of the local rum. Today, the islanders proudly claim that Bermuda now exports smiles and memories, memories that bring both cheer and joy, and smiles that Bermudians have perfected to an art, and possibly craft.
So, do embark upon a journey into the heart of Bermuda's soul, where myth and reality converge in a timeless dance of light and shadow.  Wander through the pages of history, tracing the footsteps of those who have come before, and lose oneself in the embrace of this enchanted isle, where every whisper of the wind carries a story waiting to be told.
‘If you want to go to Heaven, you can: I ‘d rather stay in Bermuda’, the irrepressible Mark Twain observed famously. Late in the evening, as I sauntered in the cool breeze and divine silence of the moment my mind was at ease and my heart pulsating with the tenderness of the time. In the quiet moments between dusk and dawn, when the world is bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, I listened closely, for it is here that Bermuda's truest secrets are revealed—in the rustle of palm fronds, the murmur of the tide, and the beating of our own hearts as they echo in harmony with the rhythm of the ocean's eternal song.
I couldn’t agree with Mark Twain more!

(Uday Kumar Varma is an IAS officer. Retired as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)