Bangkok: Morning Reflection
After a long night of drinking
So much more than I ever do
But I am determined to be different
in my habits from now on —
Drinks filled with
pomegranate + starfruit + vodka
Tasted so sweet on my jetlagged tongue
smiles + laughter shared
the 4 of us
under the rose apple tree
as bats flittered by chaotically
and a toad hopped on cobblestone
The glow of the light blue pool reflected
the evening damp patio where we sat
Under a green umbrella
rain water dripped from edges
upon my bare shoulders
Many hours later
when the rain stopped
and the birds went silent
We wandered out of the courtyard
Through the garden gate
down an alley
on to the street
to visit a food cart with 8 tables
owned by a man, his wife and son
In woks they threw fresh
squid + clams + pork
tofu + veggies + noodles
With each new dish the oil splattered
creating fires that leapt
so high
flames licked and ran across
the umbrella of the Chef’s stand
Onlookers dodged the flames
and his wife startled
burst out laughing
as the fire singed the last of her
lashes + brows + bangs
We seated ourselves and dined
on what I can only describe
as one of the best meals
I’ve ever had
Afterwards
stuffed + thankful
We walked home to sit on
couches + bean bags + a chez lounge
listened to old vinyl records
and a melodic lullaby of our host playing
Indian + US country inspired guitar
the plucked strings sent us off to sleep
In the guest room
we crawled into our bed
knowing the time change would cause difficulties
But never imagined we would awaken at 5am
longing for one another
We made love
as the Burmese puppets
smiled + stared
and a sacred wood carving of
the God of Fertility
enchanted the room
Dawn began to show her face shortly after
we fell back into the sheets with sighs of relief
loves kiss placed on
lips + hands + napes
Then back to slumber
only to be shortly awakened again by music of
Thai farmers marching streets
shouts + drum beats
as they headed towards the King’s palace
All brought on by a foreign visitor
the US President wanting to talk Corporate deals
From my bedroom window balcony
Tibetan prayer flags strewn wisping
butterflies + birds flew
landed on rooftops
and settled into trees
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.
