Mike Turner

Who Hears the Fishes?*

“Who hears the fishes when they cry?”*

The trees gasping for breath?

Who sees the birds fall from the air?

Or feels the shudders as Earth’s heart bleeds?

Listen to Nature’s quiet voice

As she pleads for time

For space

And mercy

And consider this: who’ll be left to feel

To hear, to see

When the world’s exhausted

And our time’s gone?

*Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers

Totality

Do fish that swim

In emerald seas

Imagine walking 

On desert sands?

Or birds which soar

Blue summer skies

Think of diving depths

Far off from land?

I close my eyes

And dream I fly

Skimming clouds

High as can be

Fish? Bird? Myself?

Or some of all?

Part of a great

Collective “we?”

Perhaps, together, we’re of a one

And ‘round with us

The Earth

Here too

Each looking, dreaming

Of higher planes

We’ll next inhabit

I, we and you

‘Til last we reach

Our given place

On land, on sea

Or in the sky

Thus finding self

Totality

Traveling, together

All side-by-side

Ode to Poi

When you first land in Hawaii

You’re welcomed with a lei

It’s Hawaiians’ way of saying their “Ahoy!”

And when comes time for dinner

Pork and fish are on display

Along with some grey-white stuff they call “poi”

They say poi has no flavor

So it’s not eaten alone

But’s used so foods’ true essence is enhanced

Poi don’t look too enticing

But it’s purpose is well known

If you have not ever had it, take a chance!

When next you’re in The Islands

And you have some time to munch

Add local condiments so you’ll enjoy

Proclaim your preference proudly

When they’re dishing up your lunch

“Please, give me double helpings of that poi!”