June 2024
Bio Note: I am a versatile poet, distinguished scholar and TV persona and an “All American Scholar Award“ recipient (2008). I speak 8+ languages, and have been published in the UK, India, Bulgaria, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Nepal, Canada, Philippines and USA. My name is included in NASA’s list of Mars Exploration Rover (2003), Science Laboratory Rover (2011) capsules and the NASA's Europa Clipper Mission and the "Message in the Bottle" program.
Photo credit: Petrouchka Alexieva
(May 1st is known as Lei Day in Hawaiʻi)
Every day of this week, I sit
outside in my back yard
under glorious plumeria tree
and gather my ‘pua lei plumeria’ rings.
I sing the old ‘Papakōlea’ song
with my beloved Hawaiian friend.
All colors of vibrant blooms
dance in my hands gently arranged
on ‘kui pua’ long strings.
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