pinkish colored clouds hover above dark mountain shapes a sliver of moon hugs venus surrounded by electric blue slowly darkening into black just another fading sunset above the Waianae mountains the daily interplay of colors and shifting clouds similar but different expected yet unexpected ephemeral displays of nature’s awesomeness touching our souls filling our hearts…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
Making sense(s) of rain
Some people can smell Rain coming Not you, nor I But when you said I can hear colors in the rain I didn’t ask What colors? Only thought What a delightful turn of phrase Enviously accepting The strictures Of my lesser imagination Should I wonder How the sun might smell – Like fire, or…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A Very Rough Draft of Jim Harstad’s Memoir, ON HE RODE — Chapter Forty-Three
Out on the open road again, Miss Chevy rides smoothly enough at the moderate speed I’m driving her, and I’m well aware that moderation could win the day, assuming the day can be won. I’m also aware that I seem to want to give a name to my vehicle, an indulgence I’ve always resisted on…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A Very Rough Draft of Jim Harstad’s Memoir, ON HE RODE — Chapter Forty-Two
“Here you go, sweetheart, and plenty more where that came from.” Mardi curtsies as she hands me the chilled longneck. “And would the ‘here’ you reference mean here in Bryan as a place to seek ultimate solace, comfort, and wisdom or as a marker for where you stand in your life’s journey?” “Both. And more.”…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A Very Rough Draft of Jim Harstad’s Memoir, ON HE RODE — Chapter Forty-One
Mardi’s mom’s name is Rose. A long-standing family tradition has her dad selecting one yellow bloom from the bush he cultivates near the swimming pool and presenting it to her each morning. “A rose for my Rose,” he says. I don’t know what she replies, never having witnessed the ritual. Maybe it doesn’t happen every…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A Brief Reign
Lizard on moss rock Surveys his realm at the fore Aft, hungry mynah
Bamboo Shoots breeze
The struggle is real
Sauce done and judged beyond further improvement (That’s actually really good), she turned her attention to the spaghetti. Reaching for the carton, she notes her left index finger is bare. What happened to that Band-Aid? On both of the previous evenings, knife speed exceeded skill level, leaving perpendicular cuts across the center of that nail,…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A Very Rough Draft of Jim Harstad’s Memoir, ON HE RODE — Chapter Forty
“I don’t want to drink all your dad’s beer,” I tell Mardi. “Don’t worry about it. He stocked up for you.” “Appreciate it.” “Thought you would. My suggestion. Wanted to get you talking.” “Bet you’re sorry now.” “Au contraire. I’m on the edge of my seat. You’ve got the prayer to say before the first…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
A very rough draft of Jim Harstad’s memoir, ON HE RODE — Chapter 39
ON HE RODE — Chapter Thirty-Nine The country school I attended in grades five through eight was a steep-roofed chalet built of river rock, heavy Douglas fir timbers, and cedar shake roofing taken from the ground on which it was built by the WPA in 1938. A gorgeous edifice immaculately maintained by angular post-retirement old-timers…
Bamboo Shoots breeze
Post-Pandemic
They are five young shower trees Aligned on Auahi Street, fearlessly Blossoming outside Salt in late June’s Heat, full in their belief that they always Will be so lustrous and as proud As the youth of Honolulu parading Under their shade, fearlessly believing This will never happen again.