Choking Up

The exercise was clear
Craft a genealogy based on the 'O Wakea chant
A pedagogically sound followthrough.
I dug up files from my "safe"
And put words to paper.
Memorization and recital took place on trips to Hilo,
Though passing drivers might have thought me mad
As my mouth moved, my eyes glazed over, my hands clenched.

'O Kamahalo, great great grandfather 200 years ago
On the slopes of Kipahulu began the family line
Foreign grandfathers for two generations
Changed the demographic status of the family's ethnicity.
Diluting the blood, adding new perspective.
Learning the names of ancient kupuna
Seeing the repetition of family names
Jacob, Lemuel, Rose, Muriel
Calling them back to life
In the recitation of the Moku'auhau.

The classroom presentation went well
Until
I called forth the names of my siblings
Bruddah Lemuel, the handsome Hawaiian hotel manager
Beloved Joseph, with his dashing Panama hat
Sweet Tita Cookie, the family songbird
Ua hala lakou...missing them
Now only three of us remain.
Though I forbade it,
My voice quivered.
Kealoha, a classmate, encouraged the
completion with a gentle touch to my shoulder.
Tears welled behind the eyelid dam.
Young students tilted their heads at the emotional display.
The existence of these loved one remain in our (ko makou) memories.
What will our grandchildren know about these people
When their names are called forth in our Moku'auhau.
Aloha e ko'u 'ohana.