Hawai‘i Literature & Art
— Since 1978 —
Another lifetime ago I was nine, and you were red, wrinkled Like a monkey born shrieking. You grew pixie-like, happy to tag along On blue-sky days in the park, Not knowing how much my friends and I Longed for days without you. You tell me I was the smart one, the good child Always…
Food and memories go a long way From fork to mouth to ties that transcend The passing of time, of life. Take papaya, soft-boiled eggs, and toast People find it strange that I liked old people food From when I was a young girl, It’s the feeling of comfort and memory now Of eating with…
Every day I read the obits I take notice of the ages Today, a lot are older than me This makes me think I still get chance To out dance the piper Buddha teaches life is impermanent So no get use to it. In the meantime, the days fly by Adding another month, another…
Everyone knows January first is new To me, new means That sweet scent of a just born baby’s head The smell and crackle of book pages never read by anyone before me That book bag my Mom made from scrap material, filled with school supplies And a box of 48 Crayolas, sharpened and still whole…
The first time I saw fireflies I was with my brother in Illinois waiting for fireworks It was dusk, and we were sitting in lawn chairs we carried from the truck to the open field We sat back and gazed at the sky that was a lovely lavender-grey as the sun faded. Out of…
Unadorned and crammed looser than I want The rattle is loud, and the promise is less. I like the darker, denser ones But I’ve always been like that Lighter colored ones lack that certain sweetness That comes from long hours in the sun Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking With no rhyme or reason….
We rode that old MGB with the top down, the wind and sunshine on our faces. We took that road right after Three Tables and before Foodland up to Pupukea Heiau. Michael maneuvered the MG along the bumpy dirt road. To the right, Waimea Bay glittered as waves caught the sunshine. Trade winds played with…
In this Hawaii Covid bubble We are bombarded with politico and medico messages About high case counts, rising deaths, hospital overflow, No go out to eat, support your local restaurants, get take-out Stay home as much as you can, create your own small pod— I think it’s five people this week The latest is old…
I wonder if local people Shudder more than others When they read Kafka’s Metamorphosis— You know the one where the guy turns into a cockroach. Local folks are afraid of B-52 bombers that’s why I mean, come on, the guy’s not going turn Into the small, German roach It’s way too small. If…
Along the Ala Wai in the cool heat of day’s end We might see walkers Rushing by without smiles Intent on closing the gap to unknown destinations. Hand in hand, Thich Nhat Hanh walks with me, Slowly, we walk without a destination in mind Each step connects us in peace We breathe and step,…