Did I tell you that I had a poem recently published in an online magazine called riverbabble? You can read it here:
Or you can read it here:
Flying Saucer
That’s what he looked like in the murk of morning
filtering through saltwater—
and instantly I accorded the behemoth male status
because of size, because of weight made weightless—
because I, too, floated weightless near that ancient being
flippering so casually, parallel to the island,
as if he had no place he had to be, and neither did I
for a change,
two of us—one honu, one human—one of us truly alien
in this environment, the other not seeming to mind
an artificially flippered one tagging along,
interrupting his morning nibbles of tender limu
on volcanic remnants, each holding our breaths,
lifting our heads to the surface to snag some air
now and again, one of us marveling at the other
making his saucer-shaped way through his universe—
until I knew that to follow him would be at my peril,
for I was the malihini here, the stranger,
so I floated and watched his carapace
disappear into the sea where I hoped
he would, with luck, live his long turtle life,
and I, poor landlubber, would return to mine.
—Jan Haag
Honu, Kona Village, the Big Island, Hawaii (Photo by Dick Schmidt)
Güd wrtr 
Very entertaining! In addition to your poem (Cannibis inspired?) I truly relish having another “Hawaii Sucks” post card from the former dead guy! Looking forward to your visit to the ranch!! DT
Ha! Nope, that was an actual swim with a honu in the Poipu area of Kauai, no cannabis involved! And I love your phrase “the former dead guy”! He will, too! Hope to come visit soon!
Love it! Congrats, Jan!
Thanks, Janet!
So wonderful! And love seeing Dick’s byline on the photo, knowing what the trip meant! xo
Actually, Hil, that wasn’t shot on this most recent trip, but one last year, I believe. Same island, different trip. Still, that honu was a fine aumakua (spirit animal) for me!
I love the photos and the poem because I have also experienced the wonder and awe of watching honu going about their daily business. You have expressed things that I have thought and felt also. Thank you.
Thank you, dear Cora!
Beautiful island, beautiful aumakua, wonderful Dick…. recovering to his former self……only better than before! Keep it up!!!
Thank you, Carol!