Flirting in Hanoi - a plea for public safety in transport
Flirting in Hanoi
In peace conceived
a new generation
on new bikes
all motors roaring
Guys mirrorless,
coolly unreflecting
reckless, yet calculating
every moving gap,
every
convergence,
thrusting unprotected
(helmetless)
through the rush
Gals swing right, swing left,
sweet legs exposed,
arch lovingly astride
their single machines
As lovers paired, she tickles
his ribs, he tickles
her knee
How do they survive
all distractions,
and hands on mobiles too?
Are they ready for the incoming
just to terminate the call?
This is a war
of wills on
wheels
at each intersection
the armies clash
flags of all colours
wrapped around faces
Who will mourn
when they die,
single or together,
with a full belly,
or baby in arms,
as families of three, or four
flirting with death,
in Hanoi?
P. J. Matthews, Kyoto 31st October 2011
Dear Mai Huong,
Yes - the trip was great!
Our driver from Hanoi to other places was a genius driver, not slow, but always careful. We only hit one chicken, which was trying to cross a country road. And people in Hanoi are incredibly patient with each other, despite all the stress on the roads - such patience (a kind of strength) is the only thing that makes it possible to live there, I guess. Just learning to cross a road on foot was a big-enough challenge for me.
Thanks, P.
Dear Matthews,
I guess you have just came back from Hanoi, how was your trip? I do hope you got a great success.
Thank you very much for sharing the poem, it show exactly what is the transportations in Hanoi (Ho Chi Minh City might the same). It`s dangerous, right? especially to foreigners, but people still have to live with as they say `Living with the flooded`.
Sincerely yours,
Mai Huong