Submarine Watch

In the corner of my eye
is a thick hedge of yellow hibiscus and
three papaya trees
plump
with golden ripe fruit.
Four graceful palm climb
along the shoreline
watchful,
their fanlike fronds
bowing in the wind.
Where are they?
Perhaps they are lurking
beyond the horizon.
The common myna would know.
Suddenly it looms
at the mouth of Pearl Harbor
flanked
by a military police escort.
Gun metal gray, tall
and sleek,
resembling a jaguar.
A dozen men stroking it's fur
lapping it up
purring and content.

Rowing

*** Also published Thursday July 23 2009 on http:// www.7beats.com/herenow.html

Get into
my canoe.
Let’s paddle out into Kaneohe bay
to the Sandbar.
Let us make a plan
to stick together
through
rough
winds
pelting
rain and
strong
currents.
Our oars
marking time in sequence.
Focused and
fixed
on our goal
as one
and get there.

Intimate Moments

I can feel your saliva
dripping
onto my big toe.
Belching as you lean
against me.
Satisfied
as I rub your neck
massaging behind your ears.
Staring into the distance
breathing in the neighborhood
listening to the sounds of the valley.
Wednesdays Thursdays and
Saturdays are big days
in our datebook.
Me--stuffing
gray and blue bins with
green waste and rubbish
You--eager
as the giant
yellow refuse truck
comes to swallow
them,
leaving behind
strange scents.
Me--
climbing ladders
shaving
Coconut Palms
with my chainsaw
trimming
Be-Still trees,
training them
into a hedge.
You--
Guarding our home
chasing away
the doves
as they greedily
finish your dinner.
We fit-- you and me.
Loafing in the back yard
inhaling the scent of three
large citronella plants
shielding us
from the mosquito’s.
Listening to KCCN--
Hawaiian 105.9
on the radio
Both of us,
unleashed
in paradise.

Golden Tilapia

Your muscles are
tanned
and lean
Your piercing blue eyes are
patient
and see
everything.
It is morning.
The throw net
is draped
over
your left shoulder.
As you
wait for the
precise moment
to hurl the net.
The first throw
directs the next
and with each pass
more and more
are harvested
and released
onto the dew soaked grass.
In their final struggle
to stay alive
they arch
and flip back and forth
across the void
to escape back
into the cool dark water
beneath the lily pads.

But-- their fates are set.
Filleted without delay,
resulting in
one last swim
breaded
in hot oil.

Haiku/Senryu-Big Island

Chain of Craters Road
closed due to last eruption
posted at entrance.

Volcanic river
erupts spewing smoke and ash
glowing red-orange.

Visitors observe
geysers’ spurt on Volcano
generating steam.

Artist's impression
inspires poetic piece
colors refract light.