Page 5 - Anywhere but Paradise
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                          Hula Practice










             pracTice Takes timE and this afternoon I have
             nothing but. I haven’t gotten any phone calls for work.

             No sense washing our windows today. It’s raining.
             Again. Raining so hard I can’t hear the music next door.
                The wind gusts outside and the hula papers on my
             dresser scatter to the floor. The small gray-and-white
             cat figurine Cindy gave me as a going-away gift tumps

             over on the bamboo tray.
                I shut the windows before more damage is
             done, right the cat, and collect the pages from Mrs.

             Halani. They hold the words for each song, with the
             English translation as needed, and instructions for the
             movements.
                I should dance each hula three times, she said.
                A portable hi-fi came with the house. Mama bought

             me the hula records I need.
                So I will dance.
                I place a record on the turntable and begin.


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