Bangkok, Thailand
The white egrets in the treetuck up their legs, as still asthe noon heat.
In last night’s dreammy high school flamehad been left by his wife.
In real life they are still married,expecting another child,posting Bible verses online.
The sky darkens.I hear someone laughinga bitter laugh, not too far off.
I am certain I have saton this bench before. There wereno birds—only monitor lizards.
The lizards swam with their headsabove water, flicking out theirblue tongues to smell.
Prayer call of the mosque; I imagineI understand the words—Don’t forget! It’s time, it’s time…
When I look up, the tree is nowempty. I listen to the thunderand this echoing foreign song.
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Photo by Vitalijs Barilo on Unsplash