Worship in Makena
Seated in the shade,
.... protected from the Maui sun,
.... the cool breeze
.... blows what little hair remains.
Keawala’i Congregational
.... is filled to overflowing–
.... over forty others
.... seated outside.
The minister’s amplified voice
.... flows from the ancient church
.... speaking of the “Good News”
.... and love we are to exemplify.
We are interconnected
.... whether near or far.
All too soon the music
.... fills the air in praise
.... signaling the end to the service.
With the benediction
.... we depart
.... to embrace the special spirit
.... that inhabits each of us and this land.
Comment: This was the first time that we attended this historic church founded in 1832. To our surprise, over 200 were in attendance. As the poem stated, we sat with 40+ others under the tree outside the sanctuary. (If you watch carefully in one clip, you will see through the sanctuary window some of those seated outside. Yes, after the first time, we arrived early so we could sit inside.) We truly appreciated the opportunity to worship in this sacred place.
Primordial
The restless sea,
.... never calm
.... with her infinite waves–
.... our birthplace
.... eons ago.
Perhaps some ancient memories
.... remain in our synapses.
Even the small child
.... tentatively longs to dance in her waters.
For here,
.... as the sand washes over the feet,
.... one feels
.... he has returned home.
Gazing out, listening between the silence,
.... pondering,
.... “Eons from now
.... will we ever again return
.... to her embrace?”
Comment: This poem is my first attempt at a poetical video. To see and here, click on the link above and right. The poem was written shortly after a beach walk.
Gifts from Mau'i
I could gaze forever
.... at the mountaintops
.... rising from the bay below,
.... the waving palms
.... that offer their morning greetings,
.... and the shades of green
.... that brighten the eyes.
I could inhale forever,
.... the pure air
.... scented with tropical fragrances.
I could taste forever
.... freshly baked banana breads,
.... the rich flavors of macadamian nuts,
.... and the sweetness of Kula strawberries
.... and exotic lilikoi.
Everyday, Mau'i embraces me
.... with her godlike gifts.
Comment: To right is the view from the condo that helped inspire this poem.
Visit with Ali'i
I am seated among Ali’i lavender
.... where his spirit still walks
.... his field of dreams.
The trades blow from across the Pacific,
.... miles below.
I ponder, “Is there a more ideal place?”
Closing my eyes, inhaling and exhaling,
.... scents of lavender enter my being.
The breeze that carries the songs of birds
.... with their irregular but perfect beat
.... lifts my soul.
I smile.
Comment: A favorite place of mine which I have visited many times over the years is Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm. Ali'i, the visionary who created this wonderful place, passed over a year ago. I had met him in the past and was saddened to learn of his death. In fact, information regarding Ali'i and the farm appeared in two of my books. However, his dream continues under the operation of his son. There is a scene from Ali'i Chang's lavender farm pictured below.
A Beginning
Ocean breezes
.... bathe me,
.... cleansing away the worries
.... and wants.
The day is early,
.... adventures yet to unfold.
As the cuckoo birds
.... rant in the background,
.... the sun, perhaps for the ten billionth time,
.... peeks over Haleakala.
The future
.... is now.
Comment: None needed.
