Kaiao Garden – Boys & Girls Club of Hilo

So much depends on
the sun -
crisp heat of morning
buffered by calm tradewinds
heat opening up the pores of my skin
crystalline beads of sweat
glow on the surface
of my arms
my koko, my blood
courses to the surface
absorbs the UV rays
brown baby
my freckles pop, pop, pop
expand and join – a happy reunion

the nasubi bush in front of me
reaches green fingers to greet her hiapo
follow his path across father sky
with adoration and envy
nasubi ripening in the canopied shade of leaves
deep purple shadows
a violet egg hiding spongy white meat,
tiny brown seeds like freckles
hidden.
So much depends on
wai -
waiwai – wealth held in fresh water
life source, gift
and like magic, it comes in with
the breeze, teasing temptress
green nasubi leaves cup their hands
skyward to catch the precious wai
as the mo’o waits, sleepy
in the morning light.
So much depends on
the sassy brown hen
that weaves her way through the garden
scratching and clawing the tender dirt
stomping between the bushes
in and out of the hot house
past the black dog, slow and cocky
unafraid of canine hunger
she sways her hips, looking only forward
eh, tita! Goddess of precious manure,
queen of Kaiao.