Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘A good view of Vientiane’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

Only a few yards from Lycee

Stood Anousavaly LanXang[1]

Or at the olden days

The monument of former soldiers

 

With quickening steps

I dashed across the road

To the monument

Circled by hordes of cars

TukTuk bicycles and scooters

 

 

Among the green patches

Around the tall structure

Sat students

Some doing homework

Some just playing around

 

 

Under the monument

Open on four sides

Rows of traditional Lao cloth

Occupied the space

As far as one could see

 

On the ceiling itself

Painted pictures decorating it

Not that eye pleasing

But only so so

 

After buying a ticket

I climbed up the stairs

Through the dark

And damp tunnel

 

On all sides

Vacant slot stared at me

Dejectedly

 

Wonder

Why anyone didn’t

Bother to make any use

Of the vacant place

 

Only at the top

Did I find fresh air

And a view worth my climb

 

 

All around me

Vientiane was within a bird’s view

 

On one side

That Luang[2] with its tall spire

Caught my eyes

 

On another

LanXang Avenue stretching

All the way to Wat PhaKeo[3]

And HoKham or the presidential palace

 

And on its way

Passing through Lycee

TaLat Souat[4]

And the new tall building

 

Interesting to see

All the traffic stopped

When the red light was on

And the pedestrians walking

Across the grand avenue

Some with big baskets on their backs

And some with kids in their hands

 

 

Couldn’t help to remember

The other day

I helped an old woman

With a slightly bent back

Crossing the busy street

 

When she was safely through

A big sign of relief shone

On her tired face

And a thank you note

Still sweet in my ears

 

Vientiane

How much potential it has

Only it knows

Where it is going

 

Hope

I live long to see

The days when it challenges

The vastness of the sky

 

Like the days of Chao Saysettha[5]

When Vientiane when Muang Lao

Was no less glamorous than Adhuttaya[6]

And no less valiant than Burengnong[7]

The Burmese world conqueror himself

 

9.11.03