Our First New Moon Night in Kunia

In the distance, Waipahu town

lights scrape away at the black

edge of this evening sky

with the monochromatic yellow

of sodium vapor lamps.

Beneath us, we do not notice

the new asphalt roof tiles still

warm from slanting afternoon

sunlight, nor the faint salt taste

of the last onshore breeze.

Enchanting our imaginations is

the night sky. Swept clear

of clouds, far from city

and town, there is an austere

contrast in the deep embrace

of velvet and the clarity of light.

These are the stars we will impose

our shapes and stories upon.