(Poetic license is used in the retelling of this adventure.)
An open invitation at He’eia Kea pier,
at two bells with Mel, to drink a frosty beer.
On a longer rendition of the African Queen
beneath a tarp of blue, with a parrot shrill and keen.
This vessel’s not for fishing,
It does not have a crew,
and what it lacks in polish,
It also lacks in glue.
Safely
meant for meet-ups,
with a diverse local cast,
that talks story
as they watch,
Who frees the rope
while clearing
the slip, and the harbor
Mel’s barge is free at last.
On a cruise towards the sandbar.
with a mission to explore,
the coral and the reef
upon the ocean floor.
This ship confirms seafaring
The sun is high, the seas are calm
The Sandbar tide is low
We plot our bearings, increase our speed
And off to Chinaman’s Hat now go.
With a firm Ahoy to the tourists
Staring in disbelief
from a rusty old scow
that should be obsolete.
2/4/26
Corney Press 