On Kauai, where I lived until last year, there used to be this man who stood at the beginning of Kuamoo Road. He was always there... rain or shine. He had a lawn chair and sleeping bag. He always looked as if he was waiting for someone, always with an expectant look on his face. I would often see him with a styraphome container with lunch or dinner so he must have had money or someone helping him. I heard there were people who helped him. He was there for years. I moved back to California for awhile and when I returned to Kauai he was gone. I heard he got too hostile to people and was made to leave.

I wrote this song about him and another woman I met while in California. I suppose it is really about us all or who we choose to be at any given moment.

"Kuamoo Road"

a song:

There is a man who waits
at the stem of Kuamoo Road,
and he is waiting
for his life
to begin.

There is a woman who sits in the dark
and she drinks all alone,
she is waiting for
her life
to end.

I stand alone
in shadows
and I sketch out their frames
sitting near
in the secret
of disguise.

I'll be a lilac
be at least a petal
or an amaranth
in their wake
I will treasure all
the lessons found
as I fly
so very far away.

Feb. 2000
Imperial Beach, CA