Calligraphy poem

Part 3: Aila’s Path

ua ’uruua imai! ana ’uruana imai!

fumoa imai ’ia ikilu imai,

hu-hefutata ta-haia,

futata ni natei tata ni meha

alulalei ’uru imai, alula lele imai.

- A’uwai the Rainbow Poet


cry the cry! sing the song!

soar and fall,

from plain to mountain,

landing with feet running,

become the bridge, bring spiritual light.

(Commonly accepted translation)


Cry a cry! Sing a song!

Soar and fall

From the plain to the mountains

Landing with feet running

Be a rainbow, carry the Light.

(Popular alternate translation)


Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.

- The Talmud