A rickety bridge pasted together with pieces of nature’s derma ~
only way to cross the rushing waters,
A flimsy sway over a too long drop,
Native’s bare feet have worn a soft cheatin’ death groove
as the weary weighted wood speaks ~ softens ~ smooths
In the many to’s and fro’s ~ beseeching creaks and groans warn ~ and the fraying hand woven siding sounds of a flimsy rope burn hold,
a weak chain between
here and there . . .

Villagers have named this path ‘Namu Ocku’ piercing passage
They believe if one will give up their heaviest heart thoughts before crossing
Offer them to the Earth and Water Valley Goddess ~ Hanama
the passage over piercing point will be safe ~ no harm will befall
If a green ti lei is left before crossing ~ assured safety is held in the 
strength and never ending love of the crossers’ ancestors

Those who have chanted for years ~ O MAI O’ OHANA