hoʻomanawanui – catching a hidden poem

Digital art: Misty-Lynn Sanico

hoʻomanawanui

by Adrianne Hill

Muted lights and blurred figures slink like ghosts along
Cliffs above the bay where fishermen hang awaiting the sharp
Bell tripped by devoured bait rattling the nerves of the anxious
Cliffs whose edges morph into a sheet of darkness giving
Experience of da blowhole to casters who line da
Ridge with a cobweb of monofilaments
Will the edge of darkness ignite the muted lights
As the angler navigates the maze of fishing rods
Identifying the hits as the sharp
Bell rings to
Trigger da
Space on da ridge
In time and place

“I am mostly a dreamer-teacher. My other attributes include being a mother-worrier (yes more worrier than warrior), loving and living in my birthplace, researching and resurging to teach and guide and support those who find me. Mahalo nui loa.

[This] is the poem I found in the gorgeous treasure chest of words provided.”

~ Adrianne Hill

Mahalo to Adrianne Hill for sharing the poem she caught in the verbs, adjectives, and common nouns pulled from this 1969 article about night fishing at Bamboo Ridge.

This prompt was part of our Halloween 2024 eNewsletter. You can subscribe to our free eNewsletter here.

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