Sabaydii, Here is a beautiful poem by one of our sisters - Ketmani. She will be visiting Laos this December. Hope that when she comes back, she will have a lot to share with us. By the way, Ketmani, don't forget to bring back the Lao magazine over there. Really curious to see what they are writing about. A Voice in a Distant I know you, Yes I know who you are You've been with me since my existence I treasured you in my mind You were beautiful Then I was uprooted from you Our ties were no longer tight Your grip was that of a tired soul My cry was just a voice in a distance for you I was lost because you were no longer my light When I tried to reach for you, others took hold and I gave in as their grip held tight I was alone and isolated as confusion prevailed So I drifted into seclusion and denied your existence You never fought to be but deep down you know that truth will be Many times I tried to visit, but my path to you is not so easily clear As I waited, others narrated similar that I so long to hear Stories that recognize your worth and value I'm just sorry I did not attend to you earlier I took for granted that you will always be with me But until I'm strong enough you will always be a voice in a distance for me. Hak phaang, Ketmani A Voice in a Distance I know you, Yes I know who you are You've been with me since my existence I treasured you in my mind You were beautiful Then I was uprooted from you Our ties were no longer tight Your grip was that of a tired soul My cry was just a voice in a distance for you I was lost because you were no longer my light When I tried to reach for you, others took hold and I gave in as their grip held tight I was alone and isolated as confusion prevailed So I drifted into seclusion and denied your existence You never fought to be but deep down you know that truth will be Many times I tried to visit, but my path to you is not so easily clear As I waited, others narrated similar stories that I so long to hear Stories that recognize your worth and value I'm just sorry I did not attend to you earlier I took for granted that you will always be with me But until I'm strong enough you will always be a voice in a distance for me. -Ketmani Ketmani Kouanchao University of Minnesota (612) 626-8702 office (612) 331-2815 home Fax (612) 625-0704