trout

Poakeiiukala

Emelihter Kihleng

although given as gift
it never really belonged to you
hand-carved, dark brown wood
with sharp teeth, ready
even a curve in the body
propelling it forward for attack

it swam here in the suitcase
all the way from Porakied
nearly drowning in your cold room in Pauoa Valley
but it found me and now it breathes

Poakeiiukala – To feel sorry for; pity. Poake means shark. A section of Kolonia, Pohnpei where people from Kapingamarangi atoll live. The Kapinga people make and sell beautiful handicrafts in Porakied.