Homeless Guitar

The homeless man

walks barefoot around Kaka’ako

with a guitar on his back.

He heads down Halekauwila

in the art district, past murals

by graffiti artists.

He spots a narwal sitting by a campfire

and stops to warm his hands.

He sees a row of samurai, swords drawn,

and he bows to avoid their blades.

He passes four giant roses and inhales

their varying scents, each flower

sweeter than the last.

And when streets are clear of traffic,

he sits on a piece of cardboard

and plays the most exquisite tunes,

the sound of his melodies

drifting down the block.