John and Marilyn Jennings are newlyweds. John is a poet. They have just completed two weeks of their honeymoon in Hawaii in 1989, and have rented an apartment in Honolulu. They are attempting to establish themselves in what John calls "paradise." The beauty of the islands has motivated him to write poetry daily, and he delights in the sights, smells, and colors of the sea and sky. Both have recently graduated from college, and Marilyn is eager for John to find a job and establish a family income. She is practical, while John is artistic and romantic. They experience some conflict regarding the physical aspects of their relationship. Marilyn grows frustrated with John's constant romantic passions and his "poetic fantasies," as she calls them. John can't get enough affection, while Marilyn longs for John to "give her some space." She pressures him to seek employment, to establish his career, and to create income so the practical aspects of their lives can prosper. Conflict and anger erupt. They discover major differences in viewpoint regarding their expectations in marriage. Then John is injured in an accident, and further confusion and frustration emerge as they sort out their differences. Finally, they achieve reconciliation.