Ahupua'a

sacred earth, giver of life

nourishment and restoration

let us dwell there

barefoot as befits love

as the trembling girl to the boy

the babe to the mother

tirelessly sow contentment,

the honesty of true substance

to touch unfurling life,

ahupua'a - mountains to the sea

to feast on a humble catch

to savour just enough

deriving the knowledge of necessity

to build your hale stone by stone

the architecture that honors

you as my brother (ohana)

gaze now upon this eden

ranges trill proudly in grayscale

framing the windward side

bereft of the trades grazing lips

the hula sway of kalo and papaya

entices the courageous heart

this aina that penetrates my fiber

she strains beneath our weight

this homely place I adore

needs our humanity.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

magnificent ..bravo hippie! this is going in me library ..you so gently weave the interrelated earth and humanity ..love the strong train of thought from stone to architect to framing ...beautiful logical progression laced with the splendor of your world and culture .. love love love this .. i think the couplets are perfect to signify the union of twos ... girl and boy, mountains to sea, sea to catch and humility ..i could go on and on about this one ...its just plain a beautiful intelligent write ..
E.
ps. "barefoot as befits love" wow!!!

[john l smith]

When a person thinks of Hawaii, it is poems or tributes such as this
that make and even more special place

[Chris Shaw]

I was struck by the great love and respect you have for the land where you live Izzy. Your words full of praise for what that land provides for you. You conveyed such feelings of contentment and thanks for what you have, so appreciative. A lovely poem to read.

Chris

[Island Hippy]

Chris, you’re words are wonderfully warm. I’m so glad you enjoyed the read. Many mahalo

[Chris Shaw]

I did enjoy the read, thank you again.

[An owl on the moon]

What beautiful music and rhythms rise in this song of life. There is such tenderness, such love, these boundless boundaries of light that fill your world with peace. May it always fill you, and rise fresh with each new sunrise over your glorious land and sea.

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo my friend, your words are so kind and sincere. I really appreciate your visit.

[emmajoy]

Such beautiful, giving words, dear Izzy. Tis more than prayer. Tis more than love fo r and devotion to the Natural World around us: that what lives and provides - should be treated with respect and gentleness, '.. let us dwell there barefoot as befits love.. '

Each and every phrase shows absolute awareness of and thankful honour to what is most sacred within EVER Y grain of our all-giving Earth - home, planet.

This really is a complete and utter confirmation that above everything the heart and mind should know what is born of Earth is sacred and most precious, '.. to touch unfurling life, ~ ahupua'a - mountains to the sea.. '.

What' sustains us should, in turn, be protected and treasured above breath itself. '.. this homely place I adore ~ needs our humanity. ..' Sorry for my ramble but, am still caught by the f eeling taken from your more than sincere thoughts.

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo dear you, I’m so grateful for your kind words Em (not a ramble at all). Ahupua’a is a life philosophy in my homeland an entire way of living harmoniously with the natural world. Your words are full of warmth and a heart understanding of this wee offering. I love that you share a similar life ethos evident many of your writings. So grateful for your visit Em. Many aloha xx

[redzone]

beautifully written and indeed our world, our 'homey place', needs our humanity.... and urgently... and thank you for making me look up the meaning of 'Ahupua'a' given me insight into Hawaiian traditional beliefs and culture... a real treat as well as a wonderful poem...

[Island Hippy]

Aloha redzone, I appreciate you leaving such a thoughtful and generous review. Many mahalo. Izzy read moreAloha redzone, I appreciate you leaving such a thoughtful and generous review. Many mahalo. Izzy

Will try to return the kindness soon.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Oh my ohana, this is such a majestic image and heartfelt homage to the “eden” in which you live...an eden bearing the weight and demands of so many. Your eloquent language and lyrical verses are filled with appreciation of the land, its natural blessings and its people. “Sacred earth , giver of life”- nurture it as it nurtures the generations. Strong message, powerful words, great poem. Mahalo nui.

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo for leaving such lovely words my ohana. Hope you and the grandkids are still loving your adventures in the Adirondack (bears and all) xo

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You’re so very welcome my ohana! This was Master-Class work. Grandsons went home and today son went home. We will be leaving on Saturday. Somebody here reported the bear to the Rangers. I am afraid they will kill it. So sad. So sad.

[Island Hippy]

That’s very sad ohana, I hope they don’t catch up with him.