A First Letter

Fiery, burning as hiki mai ia —
when he arrived. Then, when –

lo, behold: the jawbone piercing
a small fish that bites at a hook.

Broken lava, in motion – another
shade of meaning, implying closer

connection to burn in their mouths,
to blaze, as flames of jealousy; to rage

as a fire: stony, rough ground abounding.
Still, silent, lonely as a house uninhabited.

. . . . .

Poet: Susan Powers Bourne
Source: A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language
Process: Pick and mix, define and redefine.