[Kracheh, Cambodia on 10/21/23] There’s always another layer to peel, of course. Your faithful and devoted wife of 85 years may turn out to be a transsexual therian with a dozen kids and 30-odd grandchildren you’ve never met. Finally outed, he, she, they or it speaks in a voice that comes from some distant galaxy, deepest layer of the earth or many thousand years from an inhuman past or future. “But I still love you,” it tearfully whimpers.
Dear Linh, your very good piece this week puts me in mind of young men wiith long hair and leathers in my youth telling me confidently that the end of 'the system' was nigh quite shortly. Now, fifty odd years later, if still alive they are much older than you, perhaps still waiting, who knows, frail, grey and old. In that time, some systems, some peoples' worlds have come apart but such things are very hard to predict and not a good prospect to bet on. The eve of destruction does seem closer than ever, I agree. Glad you are better.
Thanks! It's been a very slow process, with a few minor setbacks, but I'm feeling and functioning much better than those horrible days in Ubon Ratchathani 3 1/2 months ago. With a change in diet, I'm heading in the right direction.
i was watching a travel show on tv - host rick steves - going up the nile in egypt - the rural people persist in a way of life unchanged for centuries - they will survive the collapse of modern techno-industrial civilization, it is not yet clear what climate changes they will be subjected to - i am pretty confident that a fraction of the human race will persist, even if our modern technology, transport, and trade systems crash and burn
here's a poem by a guy who teaches remedial english at an american regional university - when i read it i wonder if it is a true story
_____________________
Calling the Rain Spirit – Red Hawk
(an excerpt from the book, “The Sioux Dog Dance: shunk ah weh”)
What's interesting is that the idea of the "American Paradise" refuses to die. Even as riots, shootings, drug use, social degeneracy and homelessness soars, and White America slowly vanishes, the country keeps being rushed by millions of poor migrants imagining they will be entering into a 1950's Norman Rockwell paradise.
"Since Cu is a goofy nickname for kids meaning “Penis,”"
Layers upon layers, thanks for unpeeling yet another one Linh. I had to look up "therian" this time. I wasn't sure if "Naked and Afraid" from a previous Postcard was real. It's been around ten years. I haven't had a t.v. since 2013 so it makes sense. Cultivated idiocy has it's rewards.
I also haven't had a tv for many years. The only drawback is that when people comment or joke about something that is on tv, I don't know what they are talking about so miss out.
I only heard about Naked and Afraid through YouTube. I haven't even watched a minute of it. Immediately, I recognized it as another attempt by the overly civilized to experience primitivism, if only by watching two pseudo savages on TV!
Dear Linh, your very good piece this week puts me in mind of young men wiith long hair and leathers in my youth telling me confidently that the end of 'the system' was nigh quite shortly. Now, fifty odd years later, if still alive they are much older than you, perhaps still waiting, who knows, frail, grey and old. In that time, some systems, some peoples' worlds have come apart but such things are very hard to predict and not a good prospect to bet on. The eve of destruction does seem closer than ever, I agree. Glad you are better.
Another essay to ease my day. Always love the pictures and the sentiment, too. Hope you continue to heal. Are you better?
Hi Peggy,
Thanks! It's been a very slow process, with a few minor setbacks, but I'm feeling and functioning much better than those horrible days in Ubon Ratchathani 3 1/2 months ago. With a change in diet, I'm heading in the right direction.
Linh
i was watching a travel show on tv - host rick steves - going up the nile in egypt - the rural people persist in a way of life unchanged for centuries - they will survive the collapse of modern techno-industrial civilization, it is not yet clear what climate changes they will be subjected to - i am pretty confident that a fraction of the human race will persist, even if our modern technology, transport, and trade systems crash and burn
here's a poem by a guy who teaches remedial english at an american regional university - when i read it i wonder if it is a true story
_____________________
Calling the Rain Spirit – Red Hawk
(an excerpt from the book, “The Sioux Dog Dance: shunk ah weh”)
My daughters and I once drove past a spot
where trees and grass were on fire.
We stopped: 100 degrees, no clouds,
nothing to fight the fire with.
Rain Drop was 5 then. She said she would
call the Rain Spirit and she did.
Eyes closed she sat there
In the back seat, legs crossed
And she fell right over.
She lay totally still.
Little Wind and I watched
Not sure what to do.
A few minutes and she sat up.
A few more and the rain came in sheets
So heavy cars pulled over and stopped.
The fire was put out at once.
I saw it happen. It was child’s play.
I do not expect you to believe it;
I only tell you this because I saw
The price we paid
in trading trust for reason.
Rain Drop knew exactly what to do
and she did it. I saw it.
I do not expect you to believe it.
What's interesting is that the idea of the "American Paradise" refuses to die. Even as riots, shootings, drug use, social degeneracy and homelessness soars, and White America slowly vanishes, the country keeps being rushed by millions of poor migrants imagining they will be entering into a 1950's Norman Rockwell paradise.
"Since Cu is a goofy nickname for kids meaning “Penis,”"
In Portuguese, it means anus...
Layers upon layers, thanks for unpeeling yet another one Linh. I had to look up "therian" this time. I wasn't sure if "Naked and Afraid" from a previous Postcard was real. It's been around ten years. I haven't had a t.v. since 2013 so it makes sense. Cultivated idiocy has it's rewards.
I also haven't had a tv for many years. The only drawback is that when people comment or joke about something that is on tv, I don't know what they are talking about so miss out.
Hi Elaine and Troy,
I only heard about Naked and Afraid through YouTube. I haven't even watched a minute of it. Immediately, I recognized it as another attempt by the overly civilized to experience primitivism, if only by watching two pseudo savages on TV!
Linh
We die all the time, from our birth, and those around us too.
'We can die at any time' is clearly optimistic rubbish: sorry Lin!
my sorrow makes no difference.
its always been the same ~ everywhere you go.