Engaging the Senses

I believe that long ago, the universe’s most artistic landscaper 
mixed woodlands with tropics, rock formations with mountains,
volcanic craters with lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls with
pristine still waters before blending all with an ocean and 
topping it off with sunshine.  Man named this place, Hawaii.  
The absolute awe that defines Hawaii, is bound to awaken 
any slumbering faith and rejuvenate any emotion grown numb 
to the brilliance of life.  While visiting the Islands of Hawaii, I 
absorbed a joy and wonder from the plants that delightfully 
startled my own routine senses.  I have been blessed in my life 
to personally view beautiful and eye-catching plant life in many 
regions of the world.  In Hawaii, the plants adorning and tending 
the islands are the most dramatic, glorious and enchanting that 
my vision has ever drunk.  There is an otherness to Hawaiian flora 
that suggests plants are empowered with the ability to uplift, 
stimulate and captivate even the most withdrawn human vision.

entrancing colors paint a wonderland terrain ~ landscaped free of charge bodacious flora thrives in hawaii's landscape ~ no mute legs walk there
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Guptar Avatar
July 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Congatulations dear poetess on sharing the top win in this contest with an enchanting haibun on an equally enchanting island, reknown for its attraction. The ending is also charming with two lovely haikus. Wishing you a delightful day.
Scragg Avatar
July 1, 2026 at 10:59 AM
A beautifully written Haibun for Hawaii. It sounds like a glorious place to be. Thank you you for enchanting us with the splendor of Hawaii through your blissful descriptions. A lovely entry for the contest. :-D
Dietrich Avatar
September 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Wow. I completely forgot this one. You know what? I was reading all the comments. And Connie is there replying to you as well as me . I think this might be the poem that began your amazing friendship with Connie because it looks to me like you were not aware of Connie at that time. Of your two haiku, the last one is the standout! I still never saw Hawaii. Feel so disappointed I got the way I am before I could go see Connie in Hawaii!
Scars Avatar
December 31, 2015 at 6:12 PM
Congrats on your placement! I LOVE haibuns, and this piece is exactly why :) *hugs* *smiles* -luloo
Kendrick Avatar
December 24, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Interesting topic for this winner..Congrats..Sara
Tor Avatar
December 21, 2015 at 7:28 AM
Cay Cay congratulations on your win!!
A   Avatar
December 20, 2015 at 7:19 PM
CayCay, Congrats on your Haibun Free-Style win. ~LINDA~
Cheema Avatar
December 20, 2015 at 6:32 PM
The imagery of Hawaii is so beautifully described CayCay! Congrats and Merry X'mas to you and your family!
Richards Avatar
December 20, 2015 at 2:55 PM
The descriptions are wonderful, CayCay! You have painted such beauty with your poem!! Congratulations !
A  Avatar
December 20, 2015 at 11:08 AM
CAYCAY, Congratulations on your Haibun Free-Styled win. WUV **SKAT**
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 6, 2015 at 3:03 AM
Oh CayCay, this is simply enchanting and a lovely tribute to our islands. I am the Connie Paul and Andrea have mentioned. My husband is Hawaiian/Chinese. We just celebrated our 34 th wedding anniversary Dec. 4th. I havent been online because I have been so busy trying to get my Xmas cards out and tree up etc. while watching my granddaughter too. I love this and will fave it! Thank you for letting me know. #7
Godwin Avatar
December 6, 2015 at 12:30 PM
Happy anniversary - what a blessing for a life to be enhanced by a healthy and fulfilling coupling of 34 years. May there be many more joyous years for y'all! And to spend that marriage / life in Hawaii - I can't imagine where y'all would need to go on vacation that could be any better than where you are blessed to reside. What we are surrounded by certainly effects us. I thank you very much for sweet, encouraging and generous comments, Connie. CayCay
Muideen Avatar
November 25, 2015 at 2:19 PM
This a beautiful informative write...... With your write I have been thinking of how beautiful both must be. Brilliant............A.M.
Godwin Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 7:59 PM
Such kind and generous comments, Afolabi, I am honored by your words and thank you, thank you very much ... CayCay
Callus Avatar
November 25, 2015 at 1:01 PM
A delightful contribution that exalts the beauty of Hawaii, as you tempt us with your descriptive words, CayCay! Like Andrea, Connie's name came to mind; she'll love this haibun! Regards // paul
Godwin Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 8:03 PM
I wish I knew which Connie - I would give her a head's up. Thank you, Paul, for your kind and welcomed comments ... CayCay
Inman Avatar
November 24, 2015 at 8:41 PM
Very nice CayCay. I've never been to Hawaii but I used to be a tour guide in Puerto Rico. Another island paradise.
Godwin Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 7:58 PM
Ew - I'd love to see Puerto Rico! I'll settle for what I have seen and keep my mind open to possible future travel. If I had discretionary money, travel is what I'd do though certain destinations now scare me. Thank you, James, for your comments ... CayCay
Dietrich Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 3:53 PM
simply awesome work, Caycay. I hope connie sees this one. She lives there! And she is so inspired by that place. Of all the states,It must be one of the best to be part of. I hope this finds you well today. Take your time and when you are feeling up to it, please email me! (I'll be away from Tuesday evening till Sunday) Happy Thanksgiving.
Godwin Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 7:56 PM
I'm so glad you like it, Andrea - and I'm so glad to be back! All the best ... CayCay
Allison Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Oh CayCay such wonderful imagery I would LOVE to visit one day:-) good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx
Lamoureux Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Thanks for transporting us to Hawaii with you.
Lane Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 8:47 AM
Hawaii is beautiful, CayCay, and so is your haibun. Did you make it to Kauai, The Garden Isle. . . a paradise.
Spagnola Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 7:21 AM
Please beam me over CayCay! thanks for sharing to beauty of your paradise...:), jill
Godwin Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 7:53 AM
You are most welcome, Jill - I hope you get to visit Hawaii someday. Thank you for commenting ... CayCay
Onclaud Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 6:16 AM
how enthralling is this haibun, cay.. i love hawaii.. it has a sacred ritual called h'oponopono!..mahalo and huggs!
Godwin Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 6:27 AM
Thank you, sweetie. Alaho and huggs and mahalo, I get, but me don't know nothin' 'bout no h'oponopono! All the best ... CayCay
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