Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘That Sikhottabong’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

Before leaving Thakek

To Vientiane

We did take some time

To see That Sikhottabong

A stupa beloved by Thakek people

 

I remember

Every third month

Lao calendar of course

This very place was rocked

With the monks chanting

The lights dazzling

And the sound booming

From the loudspeakers

 

 

Today

In the middle of August

The place was eerily silent

Apart from the buffaloes’ bells

Ringing at times

I could even hear my own heart beating

 

At the front

The sign said

‘closed for renovation’

Not sure

How long the sign had been there

With no activities whatsoever going on

I wonder

How long the renovation would be

 

 

It was said

Thao Sikhot[1] cursed Muang Lao

Vientiane to be exact

The curse went

Never would Vientiane be prosperous

Longer than an elephant’s flapping his ears

Or a snake’s licking his tongue

 

Sad to say

The curse was still haunting this land

Not of Thao Sikhot’s wrath

But of our own making

 

Let DonChan[2] stand

Let That Sikhot about to fall

into the Mekong stood

Only through our very sweat

Pouring down our very forehead

Would Muang Lao rise up again

 

 

With my hands together

And my head bowed

I paid respect to Thao Sikhot

The legend he might be

For the people he won

For the bravery he showed

And for the vision

Grander than the lot of himself

 

Will our leaders of nowadays

Ever come that close?

We are all waiting…

 

8.21.03