Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘Thakek – my would-be hometown’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

Over 30 years

I left Thakek

The second home of the Saycocie[1] families

Where I had lived for the 3 crucial years

For the first time in my trip

I felt like

I was finally home

 

As soon as our vehicle

Veered its way to the town

Still sleepy after 30 years of revolution

Old memories began to surge back

 

There

Stood the old movie theater

Now left unattended

Opposite the theater

Was the house of the famous songwriter and singer

Ai Silavong[2]

 

His song ‘Thakek’

Immortalized the town in the Lao folklore

 

Not far

Close to the river

Where the old market once stood

Was a miniature park

And next to it

Was the defunct ferry port

With only the cement stairs

Leading down to the river

Still left

Against the cruelty of time

 

 

 

Through the courtesy of our driver

We dropped by to see the post office

My family once occupied

 

As soon as my eyes touched the building

Now decrepit and unused

With the plank of wood

Cut across the windows and doors

My heart sank to the bottom

 

 

 

Like Muang Lao herself

Chained of her own accord

Naïveté but no less arrogance

 

The imprinting image laughed at me

For what I could have been

For the talent least used

And for the grandeur of Muang Lao

Long lost

 

What could I do?

Dad

A man of few words

Less educated than I was

Have much to offer

To the land he loved

 

What about me?

Quon Lao but only through a physical trait

Devoid of any emotional attachment

Whatsoever

 

If so

Am I that different from the very people

Currently ripping the country apart?

 

Like the thousands of letters

Passing by this post office

Through the caring hand of my dad

Through his employees’ utmost dedication

 

I will find a way

To reconnect to a home

I never have

We LaoNork[3] never will…

 

8.14.03