Souljourner
Raging heat, augmented by humidity
Refreshes my being
The air clouded, adulterated by pollution
Inhale the fumes, a purifying soothing solution
Gaze upon the mania of metallic beasts
As they roam the narrow streets
Tuk-tuk[1] terrors traverse loudly
Motorcycle menaces maneuver swiftly
Bloated buses barge through
The bedlam calms my nerves
I walk down the soi[2]
A poor, hairless creature limps along aimlessly
Its’ emaciated frame, covered in sores
Resembles a heart away from home
A voiceless toothy grin
In response to the clunk, clunk sound of coins
Her teeth, stained red and rotted from betel nut[3]
Like the tattered transient upon a glimpse of home
Mansions stand proudly along the road
On the other side of its walls the slums hide in humility
On both sides of the walls laughter can be heard—
Happiness and contentment despite condition
The rain tap dances on the tin roofs for days
Drenched raiment clings to his shivering skin
As the beggar searches frantically for solace
So is a soul away from home
A flurry of bright orange arises in the east
In the west, monks robed in saffron—
The ersatz glory of the sun—collect alms in peace
A warm, welcoming grin from the land of smiles[4]
To the weary sojourner—the souljourner—
As he returns to his place of rest
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[1] An open three-wheeled vehicle, a cross between a motorcycle and a taxi, used for public transportation.
[2] The Thai word for sub-street
[3] A type of seed that contains traces of stimulants that provide a buzz when chewed.
[4] Thailand is known as “the land of smiles”
Written for my English class last semester...apprehension of criticism for perhaps misrepresentation has prevented me from sharing earlier. It was so hard to write about only a few select things which had to be understandable to those that have not been privelaged to witness everything that Thailand is, but I guess this is more Krungthep--a morsel of it. Home where is home?
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