Hanalei Morning



Early morning in Hanalei
pink clouds mass above
indigo pacific horizon
sun strikes the tip
of Bali Hai


wavelets lap sleepily
the harbour beach
fishermen cast silently
from dock-end
surfers catch waves
water-sliding far out
on the reef


outrigger sail and motor
boats launch out
slicing swells
of fading dreams


small ships emerge
from the jungled mouth
of the slow Hanalei River


mountain ridges
highlighted by rising sun
fold torn shreds of night
in mysterious valleys


distant waterfalls appear
ruled lines of vertical white
down misty morning
mountainsides


white egrets fly
across dark green
jungled mountain
wings blinking
in the sun
fly over palm trees
that line streets
and yard fence lines

Now Hanalei town
opens for business
outward from the coffee house
a tropical flower unfolding


surfers musicians
tourists artists drift across lawns
down walks up stairs
to buy coffee and sit at tables
on sunburnt wooden decks
reading talking
or writing


under the shed roof
already the sun is hot

The shops all open
the sign says
"eight-thirty-ish"

Locals are weathered
bronze skinned matted hair
t-shirts

Tourists are careful
clean casual

Life moves slower and slower
as the mug empties
hot sun climbs
another blue sky day
in Hanalei



by C. Van Gorkom