two people at the start of a world

What a gift to be on earth when all the failures 

of the human family have arrived at once. 

To swarms of locust, add freon. 

To floating cities of plastic, add animal souvenirs. 

To ancient streams diverted off the volcano, add tree thirst. 

And let's not forget this addition... 

 

Yesterday at Makena landing we met a free diver who told us 

how he will deliver his proposal. 

He will dive into the white tip shark cave, climb the ledge past them, 

light a circle of candles, 

then bring in his lovely and ask for her hand. 

Danger. Purpose. Direction. 

Once again, two people at the start of a world, making a plan in a cave. 

 

[J P White, ‘Free Diver at Makena Landing’, from A Tree Becomes a Room]