Saxifrage 31

Shelli Mitchell Built Into Your Walls When you slumber in the night I will stand on Mamalahoa highway Awaiting a dusty pickup truck A man will ask if I want a ride and when I Take my seat he’ll offer me a cigarette I’ll tap its end upon my finger tips and when lit I’ll inhale A different kind of burning I will wish myself away Tired of playing with fire And when the kamainas leave Gin at your feet You’ll raise your glass to me swirling I will run down the mountain Trailing blisters and burns Below my feet Slide myself into the makai and spread My black arms to drift Away but Lono Shall arise from beneath the tide to harden my blood, skin Shedding black grains of sand, Halemaumau Building walls to surround me Every night I will hitchhike Only to awaken in your bed 17