Birds of Paradise

 

Forged in the vast chasm of Kīlauea,

The blood of the Earth.

Pele's fiery angst, dashed upon

An inexorable Pacific chill.

Perfection in chaos.

Life born through death;

Verdant resurrection

On these molten wings.

The sword is removed; the garden is broken

Once more by God's own image,

Casually defiling divinity;

Through crimes of good intention.

Eden's lament echoes

Through Hawaiian valleys,

Warbling in extinct songs.

Ghosts of the birds of paradise.