Curious Casualty Of Cần Thơ

a horrific experience simplified. 7/1/09 (6 years later)

it began ...

an attempt to edify and expand

to touch the hands and healing hearts

of man's misunderstanding

a rare chance to spend a time

roaming a region once maligned 

by the country of my birth

open exploration in the wake of historic discord

and long standing odium

 

but this was to be an ill-fated diplomacy

as sickness ravaged fully through this form

with the speedy efficiency and single minded intent

of a Tibetan sky burial

 

for ten dismal days of puddle shallow breath

I fought the flood in failing lungs

the myriad of cerebral fears

finality

fatality

and the increasingly fragile grasp

of a man moribund

before a desperate return to the land of my home

to save half a lung

and to trade the other

for a lifetime of pain regulation

and the expansive cost of this edification.

it continues ...

 

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

S.S.- was this written from personal experience? Being close to death and far away from home is a truly lonely experience. This evokes memories of the time I spent in Guatemala, taking in the timelessness of the land, the cultures, the sky, the company of the friendliest people on earth... while 30% my body weight wasted away due to the parasite infestations I contracted doing my fieldwork. My sojourn too was cut short, as I came home for recovery. At least I was able to recover.

When we leave to experience new things and learn the mysteries, sometimes we are left with only finding our limitations.

This was very well put together. I just hope the part about losing a lung to pneumonia (?) isn't true.

[J Carly]

I finally read this one. I am...speechless. The fact that you can take such a horrifying experience, and simplify it so beautifully, well...I stand in awe. You are an amazingly gifted individual. And I am privileged, indeed, to call you my friend.

[Passingdaze]

Metal...Masterful writing from a masterful writer. The lines in this poem grab the reader (me in this case) by the nuts and twist like hell. Bloody brilliant...THUMBS WAY UP MY FRIEND.

[miSS LEaf]

it had so much mystery.. im not sure if i have got the right understanding to this haunting piece..
Vietnam gave a little clue, though.. once again, haunting piece, well done :)

[Suhcej]

I really enjoyed this writing it has certain feeling to it, but I just can't seem to decipher the meaning yet, though most of an artist's masterpieces should never be found a meaning. I think this writing is great, keep writing.
Demeter Suhcej.