- THAI-AN – (nỏp côgn/lòi than van*)

She, Bi’nh Di.u
He, Bao An
Now, Sue
Brian
in Love
with America
they spawn
 
I am there
in consciousness stream
theirs
for bean cake
for ginger
threads of rice
a sprouting of me
to offer atonement
beyond sorrow
Hope Baptist Church
and a smile…
 
Under the same sky
of Trang Bang
Manhattan bowels
&
My Lai
Florida Palmsbeaches, na-palm
under the same fiendished, fiery sky
hope after…
 
In pious ethic
the Amerasian dream
for Billy and John and Luke
ever
Chie ^‘n, Chinh, Cu’ong…
and perhaps, Phuong?
 
Thai-An
where I am wont
to Peace and gentle tender
yet crippled for thought
into these faces seen
10,000,000 agonies…

She, Bi’nh Di.u
He, Bao An
Now, Sue
Brian
Now
in Love
with America?
 
Thai-An windbells
her Green Corridor
bamboos sans
bungees & bombs & cords
& still no Exit
for my ache,
a Morld cambode unwell
Laos & unclear…
 
*(Tribute/Lament) 
 
— H. E. Mantel 
 
Eye On Life Poetry Contest 2010-2011 Honorable Mention