The great Mauna Kea rises high, A sacred peak that touches the sky. Its summit, cloaked in clouds and mist, A place where gods and mortals exist. The ancient Hawaiians, with reverence and awe, Made pilgrimage to this mountain, with deep spiritual draw. Its towering height and rocky terrain, A place of worship, free from worldly stain. And yet, Mauna Kea is not just a site of old, For modern science seeks to unfold, The mysteries of the universe and the stars, Using telescopes and observatories that reach far. But as we seek to understand and explore, We must also honor and respect, and more, The sacredness of this mountain, and its cultural wealth, For Mauna Kea holds a power beyond material health. Its beauty and mystery, its spiritual grace, A reminder that in this vast and wondrous space, We are but mere mortals, with much to learn, From the timeless wisdom that Mauna Kea does burn. Copyright © Wayne Becker