Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘A new hope – Dr. Suneth’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

In the main building

I walked upstairs

Looking for Dr. Suneth Phothisane

The scholar from Australia

Dr. Mayoury had much to talk about

 

 

At that time

He was in charge of

Writing an official history of Laos

From the days of old

To the present

 

When first met

I just told him

About my interest in Lao history

And his doctoral thesis

On Nithane Khun Borom[1]

 

Maybe

He was still new to the job

Or maybe

He found me educated enough

His story telling was quite

Devoid of any party line

 

When asked about Maha Sila[2]

He revered the man

For what the latter started

For what he stood for

And for the challenging task ahead

 

Not sure

How much the man I once met

Was still the same

He had so much to contribute

Hope power wouldn’t take him

Far away from the path he once led

 

Parted with a strong handshake

I looked into his eyes

And let my gaze tell the story

Stood before me was now

the new father of Lao history

 

Would he come close to the man

He once revered?

Or would he be just another string

To be pulled around?

 

I hope

We hope

He was the man

Muang Lao could depend on

Ethical passionate

And true Lao blood

To his last drop

 

9.6.03