I’ve lost some of the prolific solitude

July 31, 2007  (I was 62)

I’ve lost some of the prolific solitude

the Island has formerly imbued

the slow breath of summer surf

cautious steps on wet stones to Akaka Falls

to cast intent on flower and fern

and darkening damp deeper view

where from insect rhythms and volcanic drums

inspired lava flows onto the page

I’ve made the invitations

cleared the runway and opened the door

become a bus driver and tour guide

a distributor of discount coupons

purveyor of geography and revisionist history

turned love of place into a place others love

left tart tropical fruit in the sun

to taint and over-ripen until

only hovering bugs can enjoy it

I have not found a way

to dissipate the rush or stall of traffic

to point out the off-ramps that lead

to the back roads of the right side of the brain

to the calm of the hinayana harbor

where each small boat drifts on its own quiet current

toward the mahayana cruise ship of common purpose