I am in the last two weeks of my Hanoi adventure. Some days it feels like I’ve just arrived; others like I’ve been here forever. Since I last posted I have travelled further afield, seeing a little more of Vietnam including glorious Sa Pa, and three trips to different parts of Ninh Binh Province. I have had a few scary moments and some moments of sheer joy. Luckily more joy than scare, but it’s the blend that keeps life interesting. Anyway, I have tried to capture some of this in poetry, so rather than rabbiting on, here is what I’ve come up with – firstly on the scary bits:
Moments of fear:
The only photo I have of the scary cave was too busy keeping my head down – this is a snap just as we exited. the ceiling was slightly higher here.
Crossing a Hanoi road;
Too-fast bus swinging around blind corners
On a narrow mountain road;
Scam taxi driver
Late at night;
Power outage
In a building
Needing electricity to exit;
A boat ride
Through a flooded cave
Where the roof brushes the back of bent head.
After each I laugh and say
I’ll write about it.
(Sally Murphy, 2018)
Secondly, on the blissful stuff:
What Am I Of?
Beautiful Sa Pa.
I am of the sea.
I like to walk
And breathe the fresh fresh air
Feel the sand beneath my feet
Hear the waves lap on the shore
And feel close to creation.
But in the mountains
Of a foreign land
I feel my heart swell
And suddenly
I am of the mountain.
I like to walk
And breathe the fresh fresh air
Feel the mud beneath my boots
Hear the waves of rustling green foliage
And feel close to creation
And I know
That I am of nature.
(Sally Murphy 2018)
And thirdly, because these hands, framed snapped in a second, deserve a few lines. Thanks to my new Canadian friend, Dave, who these hands belong to.
This time in two weeks I will be on a plane making my way home. I know I will be sad to end this amazing experience – but, of course, can’t wait to get home to my amazing family.
Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is hosted by Michelle at Today’s Little Ditty.
PS. This post, and my visit to Hanoi, are made possible by the amazing Asialink Arts Program, and with the funding support of the the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Gov
ernment, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Your second poem, “What Am I Of?” digs down deep and fills one up so fully with the moment you are in–thanks for bringing us their via your poem–exquisite! I love how you move us from your life in Australia to this new skin you’ve tried on in Hanoi, enjoy the last few weeks.
I enjoying reading of your adventures in Vietnam. Thank you for sharing them. I’m glad you were able to enjoy another day to write about the scares. I can so relate to that second poem. I was lucky enough to grow up between beach and mountains. I still can’t choose one to like better, but know that I, too, am of nature.
Sally, you are always and ever an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Your “What Am I Of?” just fills my soul… I am of the sea and of the mountains, too, and you’ve described both beautifully. Gorgeous photo/poem with Dave’s hands as well.!
Thanks Robyn. I was so very moved by the mountains and, since then, a trek in the jungle too. Nature is awesome. Thanks for sharing my joy.
Oh, this post was the perfect way to start off my weekend! It’s so full of vitality–both alarms and celebrations–and overarching it, your words capturing the essence of it all. This trip has clearly been a rich experience for you and I love that you’ve shared pieces of it with us. That final poem really resonates with me. What a wonderful post!! Wishing you more joyful moments than scary ones during these final two weeks!
Thanks Molly. Glad to offer vitality to the world (or at least my blog visitors, lol) in these troubled times. Thanks for your wishes.
In some of those lines, I am wishing you would go ‘rabbiting on’. I am intrigued by the scares, but envy you the beauty, too. What an adventure you have had, Sally, and thank you for sharing so much to all of us. I too love that final poem, a gift for a new friend means much. Wish you continuing adventures these last two weeks!
Thanks so much Linda. There may well be rabbiting as I can continue to process it all. thanks for dropping by.
You get the award for best attitude, Sally! Those were a few too many scary close calls for my liking, but your mountain poem makes it seem all worthwhile. I hope so! I think my favorite poem of all today is the third one, where you capture the sense of being in the right place at the right time and knowing you are exactly where you need to be. Wishing you safe travels home!
Definitely worthwhile, Michelle. I hesitated about writing the first poem, because I did not want to seem whingy – but it was insistent of being written. And I do think that ‘bumps’ can be rich fodder for creativity, after they are over.
Your poetic words and recollections are possessed of a power to transport me back to Vietnam, Sally. Thanks for taking me with you. Safe travels.
Thank you Alan. It is very rich and inspiring place.
What am I Of? is really beautiful and thoughtful and true. I think you have a picture book draft here. What do you think?
I’ve really enjoyed all that you’ve shared from Viet Nam. I would love to go…especially if the purpose was to be a working artist. You have a full treasure box, my friend.
Thank you Linda. I hadn’t thought of a PB – but was temped to do a voice recording with photos and sounds of beach and jungle.
It really is a country worth visiting, so I hope you get here one day.
It seems like you just got there to me, too! And also like you’ve been there a while. Such a grand adventure!
So many things the heart knows that the eyes (and the brain) take a while to catch on to.
An adventure indeed, Tabatha. If only we would all listen to our hearts more.
You ARE of nature, you are you are! This is so beautiful — the hair-scraping caves and all. Thank you for sharing with us, Sally! xo
Thank YOU Irene for dropping by to share my adventures.