What Can I Say, Read Bottle Imp First

 

from this week in July, 2006 (I was 61)

 

What Can I Say, Read Bottle Imp First

 

So now I have a Bright House

upon a hillside somewhat north of Hononau

Where Stevenson’s Keawe had his

 

Though Hibiscus Halè is less lavish

with a veranda but three quarters round

and fewer toys within

 

still it brings me joy to share with my Kokua

and it was not purchased from the bottle

with wishes expressed to the imp

 

It is nevertheless luxurious enough

by most standards of the world

to challenge the righteousness of ownership

 

It seems to want to share itself

in a hot land often coveted by personal greed

the contagious cause of the Chinese Evil

 

that spreads to devour all it touches

an isolation of complete abandon

unless one gives back in the spirit of Kokua