The Sun That Won't Set

On her last night, Polly waited for the dark. But the dark never came. Here in summer, the sun does not really set. It rolls down to the sea, glows red and gold, and then comes back up. At midnight, the land was still bright and golden. Polly decided not to sleep.

Why? This island is very close to the top of the world. In summer, the sun barely goes down. In winter, it is the opposite. The sun almost hides, and the days are short and grey.

Polly flew up high one last time. She saw the whole week at once. The valley, the geysers, the new lava, the white glacier, and the cliffs. Fire below and ice on top.

Then Polly turned out over the sea. Behind her, Iceland was still steaming and freezing, still glowing in the sun. Still being born.