. . . Of the poems we exchanged, which were so filled of longing and warmth,

Of the songs we sang, which brought our souls in harmony,

Of the text we sent, which were always followed by kissing and heart emojis,

Of our sweet dreams and pinky-sealed promises,

Of our refreshing laughter and silly moments,

Even our burning tears and daunting fears. . . .

How can memories be so sharp and piercing?

My eyes are burnin’,

Chopped onions must be somewhere around,

Somewhere.

YouTube/Frank Sinatra/As Time Goes By

Joy: Taller than happiness, in three and in true spells life flourishes in simple things.

(Originally published on August 14, 2019)

Longer days of the glorious sun

leaning into north

illuminating the earth so bright

bringing clear blue skies alight‘til night.

And on the shore of Lanikai,

two bask in warmth:

Dare to bare—

they’re contemporaries of the golden sand.

The scent of ocean,

the tang of young,

the aroma of mustards and molasses—

In summer breeze,

freedom is found.

Summer is a reminder

of the priceless human warmth;

And true joy

lies in simple things–

Oh, I dare not to be grand.

YouTube/Cecilio & Kapono/Highway in the Sun