SatJaDham proudly presents the next installment in our series of
"Different perspective of life".  The following poem is by Sonny
Nhouyvanisovng.

Sabaidee Everyone,

My journey home in the Summer of 1994 affected me immensely.  The tastes and
smells, and the sights and sounds of Vientiane life still linger in my mind.
I saw the affluent and the abject poor. My heart belongs to those that
struggle each and everyday.  They have endured so much for so long.  True,
theirs is a simple life, devoid of many complications that we face in our
respective countries.  But it is not a life without much sweat and tear.  As
we struggle in our third country, we must also appreciate the strength and
stamina of our people back home.  

This poem, I am sure, reflects many of your hopes and dreams as well.  This
is dedicated to the people of Laos.  It is to simply say that we still care. 

                Restoration

We walked together into the blooming rice field.
We walked together into the gushing river.
We walked together into the dawning sky.

I ran away from the burning rice field.
I ran away from the bloodying river.
I ran away from the foreboding sky.

I felt agony in my desolate heart.
I felt misery in my woeful body. 
I felt lost in my hollow soul.

I return to a blackened field.
I return to a poisoned river.
I return to a darkened sky.

I see your hunger through the empty field.
I see your thirst through the mucky river.
I see your fear through the stormy sky.

I put a seed in the blackened field.
I put a drop in the poisoned river.
I put a ray in the darkened sky.

Others join to nurture the field.
Others join to nourish the river.
Others join to brighten the sky.

You wipe the sweat off of my haggard brow.
You wipe the blood off of my battered hands.
You wipe the tears off of my weathered face.

We walk together into the blooming rice field.
We walk together into the gushing river.
We walk together into the dawning sky.

Any comments are welcomed, please post them here on SCL or
email to laolit@users.lao.net 

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