Kotonk

I can’t write a poem about Hawai`i;

I haven’t traced enough rainbows with my eyes

Or spent enough time with my toes buried

In the sand at Malaekahana;

Or eaten enough saimin at Shiro’s.

I don’t wear rubber slippers, let alone wear

Them when I play basketball;

Or feel comfortable wearing “dress” shirts

That are all inside out;

Or eat pickled mango or li hing gummy bears;

Or play slack-key guitar;

Or make sure I wear socks with no holes

In them when I go to someone’s house;

Or surf;

And talking da kine?  Cannot.

I’m just not useded to it.

Maybe when I finally notice how the sun

Sets so quickly in Hawai`i that you barely

Notice the evening;

Or see my daughters grad from high school

With leis

Piled so high they cannot see over them;

Or feel that the wind blesses my shoulders

The way my wife can;

I will be able to write a poem about these islands.