Author Archives: janishaag

Perhaps I make up a tiny bitfor pocketing the occasionalheart-shaped piece of coral or smooth fingernail of shellwhen, at the high tide line, I spysharp-edged pieces twined in ocean detritus. Then I stop,bend, pick up the microplasticsthat should never find … Continue reading →

from the time I shuck my flip-flopsat the end of the path till I return. God’s a terrific listener, she of the manygods and goddesses who bless these islands—the divine, the universe,the beloved, great spirit, ke akua— she of cooling … Continue reading →

(for Dickie) It may be like writing in white ink on a white page—love returned, invisible, predictable, some might say— but here’s to the old love, the long love,the no-one-thought-it-would-last love, the paradox of the I-can’t-stand-you-right-nowlove, the please-be-quiet love, but … Continue reading →

(Haena Beach Park / Tunnels Beach, north shore Kauai) “See that stretch of beach there?”Dick says as we drive by. “That little cove?”I nod. “One time I was here—must’ve been 40 years ago—I drove up here by myself, and right … Continue reading →

I’m always glad when I read your notes to the world.—Julie Woodside That’s what they are?These little spit-up poems that show up daily now,arriving with so little effort they can hardly be calledproper poems—not labored over or crafted over daysor … Continue reading →

For Nell Lester,Feb. 5, 1930–Dec. 3, 2023 and for Sue Lester,best daughter••• A hui hou—until we meet again—people say in Hawaii, perhaps with a kiss onthe cheekwhen they part— a hui houat the end of a life,as the mourning dove … Continue reading →

(North shore, Kauai) All day we circle the baseof the thousand-foot triangularpeak at the end of the road— the gift called Makana—as we recognize its Bali Hai silhouettefrom the distance of Makua Beach, and, later, under its majestic shadowas our … Continue reading →

The sky looks as if it’s trying to make up its mindbetween spitting drops or tossing out a bit of weak sunshine on the first morning of the year’s lastmonth. In this place it will likely do a bit of … Continue reading →

(On the road circling Hanalei Bay, Kauai) Saw a guy on the sideof the road, waxing hisstick, right out in public. They do that here.“Sexwax,” Dick said,as we drove by, sounding like thefamous surfer whobears the same name, though Dick … Continue reading →

(Eucalyptus deglupta) •••For Dick••• Of course, it would be rainbowon these islands where rainbowsabound, vertical bands of peeling barkstripped away, down to the essenceof eucalyptus, visible from your hospital windowafter the collapse, the vanishing,the reappearing. We watched the tree; I … Continue reading →