My wife Sandy photographs me
beneath three large hala trees
whose trunks point north, south, east.
From the first few feet of each
roots slant to the ground like legs.
The natives call them walking trees.
I’m told these are some of the oldest,
most primitive living things on earth.
They resemble giant mobile plants
I’ve seen in science fiction movies.
If I’m buried in Hawaii when I shed
this busy life, my essence could be drawn up
into one or more of these immaculate creations.
I’d be pleased to walk with them.
– John Laue
John Laue, teacher/counselor, a former editor of Transfer, San Francisco Review, and Monterey Poetry Review has won awards for his writing beginning with the Ina Coolbrith Poetry Prize at The University of California. With five published books, and a sixth come out this year, he presently coordinates the reading series of The Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium, and edits the online magazine Monterey Poetry Review. Laue had two successful shows of his photos last year and had several selected for special mention by international on-line galleries and magazines.