Jim Walker

JIM WALKER collects coconuts from the ten palms in his yard in Laie, Hawaii. He teaches English at BYU Hawaii and has previously published in DIALOGUE, BYU Studies, Sunstone, Queen's Quarterly, and elsewhere.

Expatriate

Articles/Essays – Volume 17, No. 3

The Hawaiians are surprised that we also had beaches.
            In their minds we represent one vast igloo
            Filled with people anxious to escape
            To winter in Hawaii.

Fathering

Articles/Essays – Volume 18, No. 1

When I first hold our children,
Lately having labored alongside you,
I promised many things — too many —
Like the alcoholic too late repentant,

The Oldest Son Leaves for Nagoya

Articles/Essays – Volume 21, No. 3

Surprisingly tall, he looks down toward
His six-inch shorter father
And shifts his feet, anxious
For the moment of departure, awkward in uncertainty

Burial Service

Articles/Essays – Volume 21, No. 3

The place they put him seemed extravagant —
Sprawling flowers, hovering crowd, artificial grass
To cover up plain dirt.
The coffin shone, wood lustrous as the new organ