Your Daily Poem

This site exists for one purpose only: to help dispel the ugly and absolutely untrue myth that poetry is boring. Granted, a lot of poetry is boring, but you won't find it here. At Your Daily Poem, you'll find poetry that is touching, funny, provocative, inspiring, uplifting, and surprising. It may punch you in the gut, it may bring tears to your eyes, it may make you laugh out loud, but it most assuredly will not bore you!

Poetry on YDP—by poets living and long dead, famous to completely unknown--is specially selected for accessibility and appeal. Thanks so much for visiting—and remember: a poem a day keeps the doldrums away!

What? Hawaii Has No Poet Laureates?
by
Jana Kalina

I'd bleed bloody Indian ink
to be at your beck and call,
writing your vowel-shaped stories
into pure, poetic form

recounting
your pacific beauty, crown
among so many stolen jewels;
tallying your regalia's inventory,
releasing its usurped perfume

          cloak me in your moist, warm whispers
          and stain my words
          with your hibiscus wine

so that I may resurrect the sounds
of your sweet Hawaiian angel
caressing his tiny ukulele
against his sumo-sized, brilliant disguise

Jana Kalina lives with her husband on Vancouver Island. During her lifetime, she has lived extensively on three of the planet's seven continents and, today, her pursuits can be distilled down to three things: Buddhism, bonsai cultivation and, of course, poetry--especially haiku.

Ron Stewart:
I love the reference to Isreal Kamakawiwoʻole, his ukule music is unforgettable. Though he is no longer with us his Somewhere over the Rainbow is unforgettable. Today minus 16C where i life, Hawaii plus 23.
Posted 01/23/2026 10:19 AM

Larry Schug:
This the perfect poem for today. As of now, it's -26 in St. Wendel Township. I think of "your sweet Hawaiian angel " as my new grand-nephew who was recently born in Hawaii.
Posted 01/23/2026 07:51 AM

Jo:
So encouraging to see a late starter. I really like the poem, the imagery, the language. Thanks Jana. I thought for sure you were Hawaiian. :)
Posted 01/23/2011 01:15 PM

Contents of this web site and all original text and images therein are copyright © by Your Daily Poem. All rights reserved.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing books through any poet's Amazon links helps to support Your Daily Poem.
The material on this site may not be copied, reproduced, downloaded, distributed, transmitted, stored, altered, adapted,
or otherwise used in any way without the express written permission of the owner.