Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘A stroll in the old street’

 

Hakphaang,

 

Getting back to the hotel

With the sun was about to set in

Sending off its last ray

Reddish blue

On the far horizon

I took a leisure walk

Along the old street

In front of the hotel

Running alongside the Mekong river

Not far 

On my left

Once stood the casino

A sin spot of the town

And of the old regime as well

Further down the road

Close to the post office

The once lively houses

Lining up the road

Stood instead

grim-looking buildings

Paint never touched

Seeing this road again

The road I raced a hundred yard against my friends

The road I rode my bike

Up and down with sheer pleasure

And the road for no apparent reason

I came to watch

The spectacular sunset

I was watching now

I couldn't help but wondering

What happened during all those years?

The Thai bank

All the glittering

All the tall buildings

What about the Lao bank?

Frozen in time

Or worse yet

Deteriorating in time?

Apart from the spectacular sunset

Everything looked out of place

Setting an eye on the post office

My home for so long

For a last time

Before darkness crept in

I strode back to the hotel

Past the boat restaurant

About to set off its night life

Past the park

Where two teenager lovers

With the bush behind

Sat like two cats licking on one another

And past the food stalls

Where women wearing short skirts

Were loitering

My heart knew

It would be a long time

Before Muang Lao ever got back

Even to her 'decadent' days...

8/20/03