Baking on a hot stone wall
I left the ocean to the tourists
Because I couldn’t get closer without drowning.

Instead I dove deep
Into a sacred shared Aloha breath,
No longer Haole, now blessed by
Warrior of Whale Bone.

Immersion in the open pool between moon and sun
The exchange of tears and gratitudes were
Whanau baptism,
Intentions of spirit in
Union with ancients.