Mahaxay for the first time

Sabaydii,

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘Mahaxay for the first time’

Hakphaang,

Kongkeo Saycocie

Mahaxay[1]

The land of my great great-grandfather

I had never been there

Just heard from my mom

My great grandpa was ChaoMuang[2]

Well beloved by his people

Was constantly told

This town was a beauty

Beyond words

Though not there yet

My heart had already flown

To this magical place

Sitting with the like of great grandpa

Listening to his wise words

Recounting about the heroic stories

Mahaxay people waging against

The invading Siamese[3]

And true to the legend

Mahaxay stood in front of me

Disclosing its unearthly charm

Unlike anything I had seen

There

Towering across the sky

Over the steep granite hills

Dotting the landscape

At their foot

Yellowish green rice fields

Stretching beyond eyesight

Then

XebangFai river[4] dancing its way

Across the town

Cutting through its beautiful scenery

Before emptying itself

On the great Mekong river

Far far below

Couldn’t say

Why I felt like home here

Maybe

The temple with its big Pho tree[5]

My mom told me of

There my dad and dad’s dad

Used to be a monk

As poised as a Buddha himself

Or maybe

I was just tired

Traveling in this world

For what purpose

I was not sure

With my gaze

On the river leaving the town

The mountains sheltering against the invaders

And the rice fields feeding its inhabitants

I let my mind wander

What happens to this land

So beautiful and yet so depressed

So charming and yet so sad

Will Lam Mahaxay[6]

Roam this land

With its vigorous rhythm

Enchanting tune

And powerful Melody

Like the days of my great grandpa

Again?

I will wait and see…

8.19.03

[1] A town about 20 miles from Thakek. This town was the home of the Saycocie families. It was also the town that gave full support to Chao Anou, the Lao king patriot, against the invading Siamese armies. Strangely enough, my name came in part from the town full name Mahaxay Kongkeo.

[2] The chief of the town. Traditionally, Chao Muang was like a king in his town exercising the full authorities over the affairs of the town.

[3] The war of independence against Siam or Thailand in 1826-28. The Lao lost. As a result, most of the population was overhauled to Thailand. Those who remained or came back were very few.

[5] The tree that bears big leaves. It was said that Prince Sidhartha who later became Buddha was enlightened meditating under this tree.

[6] The traditional Lao folk songs originated from Mahaxay so it was called Lam Mahaxay.