(Lake Tahoe, California)

As a whopper of a hurricane
called Lowell steamrolls its way
toward our favorite Pacific island,

we arrive at the largest alpine lake
in North America to find it whipped
by wind into a deep sea green,

though in a matter of hours
it morphs into emerald,
then back to its familiar cobalt.

What, we wonder, must be
the color of ocean swirling under
tropical storm winds, making

for Kauai and its tiny neighbor
Ni’ihau? As we do for all beings
caught in impossible situations

not of their making, we offer
silent prayers to those in charge
of outsized turbulence to please

quell the chaotic mountains
of water preparing to pummel
places and people we love.

To return the peace of breezes,
of warm, friendly rain,
of kind sun and peaceful blue,

a love letter from those
watching over this ancient
masterpiece of a mountain lake

to those looking after
the jewels of Hawaiian islands
in the middle of the sea.