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Sabaydii,
Here is the continuation of a series ‘Coming home’ entitled ‘have you ever loved someone?’
Hakphaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie
Being asked
What made me write this series
Obviously taking too much of my time
Not to mention too much of my energy
I then ask back
Have you ever loved someone
As much as your own life?
Not just flimsy love
But one that you can die for
This love
Be it of your parents who raised you
Your spouse who sticks by you
No matter what
Or your kids who add smile to your face
No less significance
Is the love of your country
Intangible as she is
She is the one
That brought essence of life
What it means to be
A distinctive individual
Shared by centuries, if not millenniums,
Of wisdom into you
Yes other land might be grander
Fancier
But still it is other land
Where your root is as shallow as
The
Some may say
What’s the big deal about Muang Lao?
It’s just the land
Nothing more nothing less
Listen my sons
The land may say
Let me take you by the hand
Do you recall
Deep in your psyches?
What is the first word you uttered?
Wasn’t it of a Lao sound or not?
What about the food that you ate?
Clothes that you wore
Wouldn’t they be of the land?
Tell me
In what hand did they feed you with?
Or did you just grow up by yourself?
Do you see far into the distance
Beyond the rainbow
Beyond the horizon
Look
Whose wings protect you
Whose hands nourish you
From Khun Borom[1] to Khun Lo[2]
From Chao FaNgum[3] to Chao Anou[4]
They never for once left you alone
Won’t you be able to see it
Just for a split of a second?
Still
Whatever you may be
This land
This Muang Lao
Won’t ask anything from you in return
This is why I love her
Come to beat the same heartbeat as hers
And not a bit reluctant to say
This life
This breath
Is for you
My beloved Muang Lao
9.17.03