Paddle boarding at Haleiwa

The ducks are ships

With masts and sails of mottled feathers

Cutting through the river’s veins

of blue and brown

Maritime masters of movement and navigation

I parted their austere authority, gently

With the blunt end of my paddle

As I toppled over the edge

Buckled knees humbled by the waters

Yet, determined to stand, prevail

Against the curious perusal

Of honu, faces mud-masked and mocking

With shells of castles, living strongholds.

Wet scales flashing knives of sun

in my eyes. I squint and bow to them

Masters of the river, revenants of the sea

I struck and divided the waters

Into miniature whirlpools.

It remained. Unconquered. Undivided.

I, on my raft, void of balance

A flimsy lifeline, my sole ally

Braving the currents between turrets

And sentinels of mangrove and bamboo

I, a foreigner, a welcome intruder

a master of nothing, challenging the sages.

Fragile. At the mercy of my board

Plead passage through their kingdom