listening to love
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Wahine Pool
Two women stand on a rock above me, surveying their domain. The ocean storms have scoured the sand from between two outcroppings, and now the water rushes in and out tidally. I am carefully navigating the new pool, unsure how strong the pull out to sea will be. A wave surges in and they jump,…
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Same Dog
“You’re a strong woman!” yelled a pick-up driver stopped at the uphill intersection I was pedaling through, “I love it!” Laughter fueled my wheels. This made a nice change from another pick-up driver in another intersection who threatened to run me over as I was crossing (legally) on foot. I stopped in the middle and…
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Double Fire
“You are double fire,” says Kokomon after the drumming meditation. “Your father is fire; you are double fire.” I do not ask him what he means, my bones know: I am more powerful than I believe. I can protect myself. It takes a long time — decades — to understand this. I am not stuck.…
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Burn Baby Burn
In preparation for leaving the island, I burned a box of my art. It had served its purpose: expression, joy, distraction. I am keeping the pieces I love, but where will I ship them? Where will they hang? Transitions. Man. Irritated by rampant tailgaters, I flipped one off a few days ago. Instead of backing…
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Moving On
Just off the phone with a New Orleans real estate agent my friend Trish found (thanks, Delaney doll!). As soon as the rest of Mom’s belongings are removed and the place is cleaned, it’ll be on the market. Here’s your chance to own a charming fixer-upper in the Treme, only $300K. Wept, of course. Her…
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Impact Zone
I tried to surf the impact zone this morning. I paddled beyond it without much trouble, but the bigger waves outside scared me — double overhead. So I turned around, aiming for the waist-highs closer to shore. It was rough, like a washing machine. Got tumbled a few times, chafed. Thought, this ain’t fun. It…
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House of the Ray
I saw the face of god and it’s a ray. Investigating a new snorkel spot, movement flashes in the corner of my eye. Turning to my right, I’m startled by a ray and sea turtle close by. Large, both of them. I freeze. The ray glides in front of me, swoops around and down and…
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End/Begin
Quit my job today. Eleven years I managed a private foundation that supported teaching artists and organizations who specialize in spreading joy. The name (Jubilation Foundation), the mission (benefiting children via music and movement), and almost complete autonomy were the reasons I stayed so long. However, now it’s time to focus on my own jubilation…
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Voguing Snowgal
So I was painting the other day, and did a series. Seems to be an Xmas theme with me. In 2019 I filled eight canvases with one giant heart each, some with polka dots, some blue-green, some orange-red: love expressed. I gave them to folks I treasured the most. This year I use ivory black…
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The Noisy Boys of Kilauea
When I looked at the place, the landlady said one guy lived next door. A lie. Ten to fifteen guys live next door — during the week. Hired to work on a resort, they are commercial landscapers. Some come from Oahu, some from Maui, and recently a few from México. They all wear fluorescent orange…
words & art by shé 