Bangkok
dogs nap under bus stop benches
oil covered mechanics squat in engines
a Ladyboy dabs smeared makeup with white tissue
canal boats cut through murky trashed waters
blue tarps drawn to keep water from splashing
sandals teeter boat edge as hands hold ropes
water ride ends and street walk leads to temple
walking mediation surrounded by Buddhas
peaceful shrines in buildings
rooftops overlooking Bangkok laundry
flowers + golden Buddha amulets hang from taxi dashboards
gallery paintings show little fine dressed girls with
blood running down their legs holding
bloody barbies with goldfish at their feet
a Sea Goddess embraces her enormous sagging breasts
on congested street corners mothers beg for change
on bridges a baby sleeps in a mother’s crossed legs
blankets unfold into department stores
coconut ice cream cools damp skin under wet t-shirts
butterflies dance in dozens on rose apple trees
ice melts raspberry vodka into pomegranate juice
a Dog named Pepsi is adorned with
black eyebrows of a deity
bowls of noodles simmer under upright peace signs
crumbling walls with generations of smoke-tar molded stains
foggy glass pictures of family under shrines proclaiming
Buddha is you
traffic slows at noon as fishballs roll down throats
laughter pitches high with a mispronounced ca
60 Baht buys lunch + a yellow fleshed watermelon
KM Sharp is a poet, writer, MSW, activist, producer and photographer originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, moved to Los Angeles, California and now lives as a digital nomad traveling and exploring the world. She received a BA in Communications from University of Colorado and a MSW from Saint Louis University. KM studied under the renowned Welsh-American poet, bard and scholar Jon Dressel and co-produces the monthly literary and music show Poems, Prose and Pints. She has performed in shows and events nationally and internationally and her poetry and writings appear in various publications and anthologies. KM is the author of two ebooks, I Become One and Heirs of November. Check out her new travel blog/publication Travel Artists Hub.
