Self Portrait as a Time Traveler by Eden Edwards

I awake covered in sticky reddish brown blood and grease.

A bent venerable healer wrapped me in a clean rag

Then handed me to a tired ebony girl; at least

That’s what I recall through the hazy tenuous time lag.

I try but can’t move my phlegm filled lungs anymore.

A black clad man holding a heavy looking worn spade

Spoke incantations - dust, ashes as I float through a door.

Like Noah’s white dove I flew far to sea; wade

Into a bright white walled room. I loathed

Being cut out like caviar; hit until I cried in despair

Then one, two, three kind smiling angels cooed, comforted, clothed

Me in pink and turquoise finery, dried my tears.

Missing Maui by Eden Edwards

Cardinal clay peeking between bare brown toes

Tumbling down the hill where cane grass grows

Sweet plumeria floating in the air

Plucking one and adorning my hair.

Misty makani kalepa blowing,

then sudden showers flowing

like tears from Mt. Haleakala,

mourning flight to California.

Migrating gigantic birds fill the sky.

Some are landing; others saying goodbye.

Farewell Makawao, Wailea, Iao valley.

I’m existing in Cali, while missing Maui.