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Open Poetry #42
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JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

0 posted 2008-04-28 05:10 PM


Dancing in Silhouette


While watching a hula dancer,
her silouette moving gracefully
in the framing of the moon,
I began to understand the
message of her dance.

Her chant speaking of the
struggles of her Nation,
her movements demonstrating
the holding of her position,
and her personality revealing
the true meanings of Aloha.


JamesLee
27April
2008

Many Hawaiians hold onto their culture
and language and they feel like their
Kingdom was unjustly overthrown by
the Americans.

Aloha is an expression of love,
also hello and goodbye.



© Copyright 2008 JamesMichael - All Rights Reserved
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 posted 2008-04-28 06:41 PM


James,

This is very nice.  I've always enjoyed my stays in Hawaii.  When I would work in Japan, or China, I always visited there on the way back.

Bobby

shyvl
Senior Member
since 2008-04-11
Posts 531
texas, usa
2 posted 2008-04-28 07:29 PM


This is lovely.  Every dance has it's own message and you convey this one well.
sharyn

Larrysmom
Senior Member
since 2008-04-03
Posts 533
Florida, USA
3 posted 2008-04-28 09:52 PM


A beautiful write for a beautiful danceā€¦

Tammy<333

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2008-04-30 01:35 AM


Thank you Robert, shyvl and Larrysmom for the wonderful responses...James
Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
5 posted 2008-05-01 12:46 PM


Beautiful, James.  I think that the pride of Hawaiins for their home makes it even more lovely.

Alison

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
6 posted 2008-05-01 10:31 AM


If I had money and time I would so much to travel and discover Hawai and the aloha....At least there is your poem.
thank you for sharing

   yann

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
7 posted 2008-05-01 10:56 AM


This little poem is huge in meaning that is expressed so well with subtle emotion. The capitalization of Nation and Aloha does not go unnoticed---it portends the message in the explication you provided us.

Thanks for sharing this fine poem.

Art

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
8 posted 2008-05-01 11:01 AM


Also, James, I like the word "silhouette" in the title. For me it implies a people who are not seen in the fullness of their cultural dimensionality due to foreign intrusion and the infusion of a culture that has diminished their own in many ways. But, in the end, we are one nation . . .

Art

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