Our brother Hiro looms large in his dreams and goals.
He pushes us beyond all ability and desire.
His never-ending pursuit of fame leads us
to cram in a boat aimed for the far away shoals.
His willfulness made him unresponsive to our cajoles
to stay awake during this fraught journey.
He left us to work the sails as he napped,
the stress of which brought us seven close to blows.
Wake him now, one brother, Tupurairai, proposes.
But it’s too late, our anger too far out of our control
for our minds to register this calm suggestion.
Trapped then we were by mists of painful throws.
The canoe’s bow severs Huahine’s twin volcanoes
while lazy Hiro lays in the stern in peaceful repose.
