Sabaydii,

 

Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘the land of temples’

 

Hakphaang,

 

 

It was said

Vientiane was lining up with temples

Too numerous to count

Any where you go

Any corner you step into

Temple is waiting for you

 

 

Samsenthai road[1]

Is the epitome

Of Lao absorption into Buddhism

 

In a distance of less than one mile

Lied 9 temples

 

At one time or another

Side by side

And front to front

From the north end is Wat Inpeng

And Wat OngTu

Where you could still see

A carved wood made of 3-head elephant

On the temple door

 

 

And the south end is Wat Simuang[2]

Where people believed

The most sacred temple

In Vientiane and all of Muang Lao herself

 

 

Undoubtedly

The inside of this temple

Was almost gold

With the money pouring in

From everywhere

Even from the neighboring Thailand

 

Was told

This temple is the site of Lak Muang[3]

Where a pregnant woman

Threw herself onto

And became a city guardian spirit

 

With a bouquet of lotus flowers

Bought from a Lao Isan[4]

I laid it down at the Lak Muang

Knelt down and prayed

 

If only I could be granted one wish

I won’t wish for my own riches

But the riches of my country

And in its riches

May it be at the hands of all Lao

Lao Isan and LaoNork[5] included

Phieng![6]

 

9.11.03