'Aumakua - a good omen #AtoZChallenge2021

In Hawaiian mythology, an 'aumakua is a family god, often a deified ancestor, that takes the form of an animal. If ones chosen 'aumakua appears, it is regarded as a good omen. Many legends tell of an 'aumakua manifesting itself to save a descendant from harm.

The gecko is my 'aumakua. The grayish, almost camouflaged gecko pictured below is one of the friendly fellows that visits my lanai during the day, and chirps away at night.

Common House Gecko

Known as Hemidactylus frenatus, this common house gecko arrived in Hawai'i from Asia sometime around World War II. Aside from bringing good luck, the gecko eats roaches and mosquitoes. While it takes both a male and a female common gecko to reproduce, the mourning gecko (of which only the female inhabits the islands of Hawaii) clones itself. (Yes, Dr. Malcom, life does find a way.) 

Although more popular forms of 'aumakua among Hawaiians are the crow, turtle, shark, owl, and hawk, I've chosen the gecko as my 'aumakua for two reasons. First, because I am a kama'aina (a word describing Hawaii residents regardless of their racial background, whereas kanaka describes a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry), I felt that choosing a more traditional Hawaiian form would be an imposition. Second, the gecko is considered good luck to have in the home, almost a blessing, which is a revered practice in Hawaii. 

Actually, there is a third reason: Geckos are just so darned cute.

*****

'AUMAKUA: Cruising on a Sea of Hawaiian Words #AlohaFriday



Common House Gecko

The gecko is my 'aumakua. The grayish, almost camouflaged gecko pictured above is one of the friendly fellows that visits my lanai during the day, and chirps away at night.

Known as Hemidactylus frenatus, this common house gecko arrived in Hawai'i from Asia around World War II. Aside from bringing good luck to my home, the gecko eats roaches and mosquitoes. While it takes both a male and a female common gecko to reproduce, the mourning gecko (of which only the female inhabits the islands of Hawaii) clones itself.

In Hawaiian mythology, an 'aumakua is a family god, often a deified ancestor, that takes the form of an animal. If ones chosen 'aumakua appears, it is regarded as a good omen. Many legends tell of an 'aumakua manifesting itself to save a descendant from harm.

Although more popular forms of 'aumakua among Hawaiians are the crow, turtle, shark, owl, and hawk, I've chosen the gecko as my 'aumakua for two reasons. First, because I am a kama'aina (a word describing Hawai'i residents regardless of their racial background, as opposed to kanaka which means a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry), I would not presume to choose a more traditional Hawaiian form. Second, the gecko is considered good luck to have in the home, almost a blessing which is a revered practice in Hawai'i. 

Actually, there is a third reason: Geckos are just so darned cute.

*****

HOLIDAYS and GRATITUDE #62 and #63

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

70 Poems for 70 Days 

 is a collection of poetry I wrote as a birthday present to myself and gifted in book format to 70 of my friends and family members. Over a period of 70 Sundays, I am submitting the poems in the order of composition, along with a short comment about the poem’s style or theme,
often including a complementary photograph.

With linked poetry, a form of Japanese Renshi poetry,

the last lines of one poem are used to form the title of the next poem,

then the next poem shifts to a different topic.

I hope you find a few entries that bring a smile to your face or a long buried memory to the surface of your consciousness. Poetry is like that, whether you are the reader or the author.

62

Now The Pie

 

Holidays bring family close together

with birthdays a favorite, for the cake.

Chocolate is the choice most every time.

 

The 4th means potlucks and fireworks

displays in the park, on the island,

or near the shore. With watermelon

chilling in the cooler for dessert.

 

Thanksgiving’s feast means

now the pie takes center stage, topped

with vanilla ice or fresh whipped cream.

 

Christmas is a winter solstice celebration

most anticipated every year. The sacred

offering of bread and wine consumed with

wrongs forgiven and gratitude expressed.

 

 

*****     *****     *****

 

 

63

With Gratitude

 Geckos on my lanai bring

good luck into

my home.

With gratitude

I watch their

high-speed sprints.

 

 Birds on the high wires

chirp me awake

the sun our silent clock

Their downy feathers

floating on trade winds

demonstrate a ballerina’s grace.

 

Nature delivers peace

at morning’s start,

lightening my cares.

Sipping caffeine black,

the pain subsides

leaving only re-occurring thoughts.

 

 

Ah, the unparalleled pleasure of sipping morning coffee on the lanai before the weight of the day demands your full attention. Still not fully awake, unmindful of opinions pressing down with unrelenting force, obligations stacked for later consideration, and disorderly expectations of unruly humanity. 

 

Soon, the geckos scurry for cover,

the birds' chirps become more frantic,

and the sun's golden rays appear to tarnish

 

Back to a world of reality. 

 

 

*****     *****     *****