Kupuna in the Sleeping Grass
by Zoe Kamalei Finn
The hilahila
I brush slightly
turns away
closes itself tightly
like a child’s eyelashes
gentle, reluctant,
embrace of sleep
on my way
I tread lightly
to see you.
The clouds draped, a lei
worn by Kalalea
above me she stands
below me you lie.
Your blood
in my veins
roots me to
this place unchanged
unchanging
suspended in time
time carved in stone
under the kukui tree.
Born Jan 26 1900
Died Sept 4 1933