Hawai‘i Literature & Art
— Since 1978 —
We haunt yesterday’s bonfires Cozy after days of swimming And miles of nature walks Learned every plant and tree We’d seen for a million years But ignored as passing strangers Everyone knew every camp song Because they’re in our DNA Our parents sang them As did their parents before them Cavemen probably grunted How to…
Okay, let’s write between 100 and 500 words. As always, you can use of the the prompts, or you can ignore them and write about whatever you’d like. So here we go: Summer Fireworks Fire Ashes Work Chores Indoors Outdoors Outhouses Outer Space The Sun Jokes Riddles Puzzles Doodles Poodles Noodles Again, let’s write between…
Bittersweet My cousin makes the best lemon meringue pie ever. One reason has to be the magic lemon tree that grows behind her home in Oakland. Those lemons have no season, I swear, the tree’s green leaves hiding beneath the cascading storm of huge yellow fruit year round. These lemons are tart, not sour. I’d say they’re even…
There was a boy named David. As he grew older, and left the house more, dirt began accumulating in his eyes—small particles of dirt, drifting on the breeze or shaken off by others. The particles were tiny, like dust, and difficult to see. The dirt in David’s eyes accumulated so gradually that he didn’t notice…
A hefty middle-aged local guy leapt up from his seat when I entered the crowded waiting room, called me Aunty, and offered me his seat. I thanked him but declined because I only had a quick question for the office staff. These days I’m always pleasantly surprised by the Aunty-thing. This happened to me more…
Wisdom comes from those who live the longest It is passed on by word of mouth Sometimes from mouth to words scribed on paper, My mother always told me that when a vase breaks You can glue the pieces together But it will never be as strong as when it was whole She was advising…
Hey. It’s June. Let’s write a piece, between 100 and 500 words that celebrates something. It can be anything from being alive, to a wedding or some other festive event. Or it could be about getting a new job or a promotion or retirement. Maybe the birth of your child, grandchild, or a friends’ child….
Cooling In the shade, he sat enjoying his shave ice under a banyan tree, the sound of waves rolling on, the wrinkled ocean surface humming a calming rhythm of cool while the sun beat down hell around him. Global warming, he thought, remembering the days growing up when he could walk barefoot everywhere on a…
It is the perfect place, she said, No worries. I want to hide from people Who look at my artwork Yeah, that one about the knife in the guy’s temple With a hand smothering a scream, The hand tattoo says Smile. I am smothered by my image A good daughter, a good sister,…
Seize the day Open your eyes Express gratitude Roll out of bed Make the bed Do it now Breathe in, breathe out And stretch Drink that glass of water Use sunscreen Brush and floss Chat with the quiet student next to you Order that unfamiliar but tempting dish Take the plunge Finish that irritating project…