maymyo Poetry (11)

Oh to be in Orange on a Wintery day like today,
I'd need more than me Plurry sox to warm me body.
The locals love Orange they say its just the place to stay
but even though I don't drink I'd sure need a wee toddy.
Down to the pub I went to meet all the Orange locals
and as I walked in they all looked me up and down
Even Gazza and Fred Smith eyed me with their bi-focals.
But the locals gave me a warm welcome to their town
and yere the pub was good, the place really rocks.
Next time I come this way I'll stop and say g'day
but I'll be sure to bring me Orange Cardi & me Sox
cause I was frozen to the bone the whole of me stay.
................................................................Maymyo

Our meeting took place on the internet.
I read your story and thought I'll see
I asked if you wanted to talk with me
and you said we can only be friends
cause you're too far away for me.
That was the very first time we met.

Did you want to see a photo of me I said,
"nah doesn't matter we'll never meet,"
so we drifted along chatting away
not often but every second or third day.
I'd look sometimes and you weren't there
so just a message I'd type to be read.

It was much more fun when you were there,
I could ask a question and get a reply
and there were funny things we did share.
I found you happy and your humour dry,
we laughed a lot and joked with each other
and slowly and surely we became friends.

We both lived in a different time zone
and our chats were across the miles.
So we watched the clock all the while
for the right time to pick up the phone.
and in between our emails came and went.
We shortened the distance between us.

Then one day you said you'd been thinking
how far away we lived from each other.
I'd been thinking the same thing too.
You seem so nice since I got to know you
and now you wanted to see a photo of me.
What will happen if you like what you see ?

We've grown close in such a short while.
One can only guess what would happen
if you see my photo and like the look of me.
I wish I could see your face to see a smile
but then if its not there I'd rather not see
but I've high hopes I'll be around for a while......

2010

There was a woman lived up on the hill alone
below her stretched the little village town
to the curious locals her history was unknown
and she rarely to the village went down.

Her age also was unknown and indefinable
she was of small frame with a lively step,
not like the women in town she'd aged well
and her body and face she didn't neglect.

No beige cardigans and aprons for her
she wore tights, pointed bras and heels
and dangly ear rings and spiked her hair
but ne'er anything personal did she reveal.

So at the knitting circle stories started round
about this poor woman and her fabled past
like a rolling stone the rumours did expound
cruelly she became a woman loose and fast.

They'd heard tales that she had been overseas
their imagination went wild, it had no bounds.
Was it true she had an affair with a Burmese
she'd found in a remote hillstation town ?

The knitting needles went clickety click click,
then one large lady did lean over and confide
'she went to Thailand & can use a chopstick'
and they all tutted & muttered and sighed.

Then one day the woman on the hill fell ill
and hired a man to keep her garden trim.
He was quiet, his past haunted him still
she understood this and listened to him.

They got on well and appeared to be friends,
All agog the knitting circle didn't miss a trick
but their friendship they didn't comprehend
as the knitting needles went clickety click click.

To the movies they went and all the markets,
she wore her tights, pointed bra and heels;
he had long wild hair and beaded bracelets
but ne'er anything personal did they reveal.

Then one day the woman on the hill did die
and no one in town her passing did mourn,
But in the cemetery a lone figure did cry
with his long wild hair a sight so forlorn.

The woman left the house on the hill to him
and there was talk throughout the town;
but lovingly he kept their secret with a grin
He was a good son he wouldn't let her down..

Going through some old papers from the past
I came across a question I was once asked:
"what are you looking for in a man?"


I replied that I wanted a tall, bearded , hairy man
who is kind and thoughtful and makes me laugh,
he should treat me as an equal, his other half;
and need me as much as I need him
with a love that overflows at the brim.
He should make me tingle when he is near
and make my heart race when he does appear
and at the sound of his voice from afar
make my thoughts turn to the boudoir.
A good sense of humour is a must
as is fairplay and a sprinkling of lust.
He must be intelligent and compassionate,
my best friend and everloving soulmate
and to top it all off a lover first class.
These are all the qualities I would ask..


I was told by many that my standards were too high
that I would never find a man to match my needs.
Then imagine my surprise after reading this today
when I suddenly realised I was describing you.....
My Perfect Man.

They had a 7 day visa to visit this exotic land
she was excited it had been a childhood dream,
the flight was short, just 1 hour from Thailand
to Rangoon where the golden pagoda gently gleams.

Customs men were more excited over their papers
than American dollars they'd stuffed down their bras,
the forms were completed so they could trace us
every step we took, every place we went, every car.

Yes Sir, No Sir, we smiled: Yes we will, we agree,
then we are off, an old taxi cab to the Hotel Strand.
Familiar faces greet us, other passengers are here
tomorrow we'll go in either direction around this land.

But first I must get rid of our weighty contraband
1 cartoon of B & H and 1 bottle of Johnie Walker,
my friend hands me her quota, she'll stay at the Strand.
She says it's best I do the deal, I'm a better talker.

Off I go to the taxi rank, a quick word in his ear,
Hop in Ma'am he says, I'll get a good deal for you.
In less than a minute seems all the cabbies appear
and down to business we go they all know what to do.

I hold out for a better deal, the offers come thick and fast
some of the cabbies keep watch at either end of the street,
then it is all over an agreement is reached at long last.
The cabbies smile and are off, another plane to meet.

This is the way it is done, it is expected of you,
now it is over we can begin our exciting journey
from Rangoon to Mandalay and Maymyo too
a beautiful, exotic land that will live in the memory.

Today I saw an eagle flying high in the sky
as I was hanging out my washing to dry.
I wondered which way he was heading
as I put the pegs in my bedding.
Maybe he is looking for the river mouth
in that case he must be heading south.
How wonderful it would be to be able to fly
to take off and soar so high in the sky.
Over mountains and round mystic river bends
I'd travel the world visiting my friends.
You'd see me hovering over their house
I'd be still and as quiet as a mouse.
Then with a wave and a flutter of my wings
I'd be off to check out other things.
Twisting and turning with the breeze
I am drifting and floating with ease.
Soaring high under the fluffy clouds
what a joy to be away from the crowds,
I close my eyes, I'm in a trance.
Oops! what was that ? I've hit a branch.
No! No! I open my eyes and look around
all my pegs are on the bloody ground.

Up in the mountains cold, they'd had their rendezvous
and found that it was real love, it was true.
So then they parted and went their separated ways
not for long, duty called, maybe 30 days.
He went south to his little town to pack his things
his house was sold and now came the settling.
He had mixed feelings, sadness at the chore ahead
and yet he had joyous memories of her in his head.
His loins felt a stirring as he thought of her charms
and the way she had just melted into his arms.

She drove up north returning to her home to prepare,
it was a long time since she'd lived with a man there.
Drawers and a wardrobe she would empty for his clothes
he would need warm things in case he froze.
And she would clear a bookcase shelf or two for him
they both loved books, music and nearly all things.
At thoughts of him her heart skipped and missed a beat
she remembered his beautiful body, so tall and sleek
Like a glorious jungle animal covered in golden hair
she'd fallen in love with him at the cabin back there.


For the two of them the days and nights were so long
it was agony to be without the other; they belonged..
The telephone lines ran hot between their two homes
this was like something that they had never known.
She had to learn to text as he would message her all day
to say 'I'm coming up, I'll soon be there to stay.'
She would ring to wake him from his sleep each morning
and they would talk till the sun was dawning.
Each night he would ring to say 'I'll cuddle you tight
don't worry darling it will soon be alright.'
She'd go to sleep pretending his arm was under her head
but wake in the darkness feeling for him in the bed.
It was like they'd been in perfect unison in some life past
and had by miracle found each other again at last.
Relief will be known when at last they are together
and there will be no more parting, this is forever.......

Three years ago I lost both of you and I was lost;
bereft of love, bereft of life, bereft of reason for living.
The road has been hard and my feet dragged at every step.
My husband, my son if only I could have gone too,
so many times I wanted to join both of you.
I was made an orphan in one foul swoop.
I had forsaken God, but boy did I curse at him
the names I called him you could not print.
But now the anniversary looms as they all do
and I am well and still loving both of you.

I miss you my son, we were such good mates
and what fun we had on my trips to Thailand.
Lumpini Park where you taught me to count
and the British Club where you still got a ton
just like back home when you were young.
I'll never know why you were chosen to depart
but I know you'll always be in my heart.

My dearest husband you were the sweetest of all
and our years together will always be in my memory.
We were meant to meet, you brought me such joy
and made me feel so wanted, my beautiful toyboy.
22 years of wedded bliss it was hard to say goodbye
then came the news, our son had suddenly died.
Four days later you left me to be by his side.

My grief was overwhelming I didn't want to stay
I became a recluse, I locked myself away.
For 2 years I angered and cried and cried
I could see no sense as hard as I tried.
I was in darkness my tunnel had no light;
then I saw a glimmer, I had left no fight.
By gentle persuasion back to life I was lead
he'd been there, he knew what had to be said.
So here I am, a new chapter I am about to start
I just wanted you to know you're still in my heart.

What do you say
on this lovely Autumn day ?

As we sit side by side under the leafy bough
enjoying this magical moment together.
Birds sing out and rust coloured leaves shower
down on our feet. Could this be forever ?

What do you say ?

Dreams are made of moments like this
its what I dreamed of in the past.
A handsome prince and a lingering kiss
a magical moment. Will it forever last ?

What do you say ?

Dimmed are the memories of yesteryear
our hopes have built new dreams
of love and tenderness with you near.
Tell me Dear, is this what love means ?

What do you say ?

Is that a smile upon your face I see ?
At last the future is looking bright
and the birds sing loudly in the tree.
All is well and together we'll be right.

What do you say
on this lovely Autumn day ?

Reality dawned as I awoke from my sleep
the day had arrived when we would meet.
Filled with excitement I thought of you
and wondered if you're awake and excited too.

Its a long drive but we will meet halfway
in a quiet B & B on the mountain we'll stay.
We've planned it all and are taking the chance
that this is more than just a passing romance.

On the five hour drive our thoughts turn to the past
and the sad times that are over at long last.
For fifteen years we both thought life was over
and then by chance we did discover each other.

I turned in on the dusty road and saw his car there.
My heart missed a beat and I became aware
that my destiny could be behind that door.
It would only be seconds until I am sure.

I knocked and then heard the voice that I knew,
the door opened and here we were, me and you.
"You are so beautiful". I heard him moan
and into his open arms I willingly went home.

Our hearts, minds and bodies in unison,
it was unbelievable: as though we were one,
not strange, as though we had been forever.
This is how we dreamt it would be together.

For six days and six nights we laughed and loved
oblivious to everything around and above.
We'd come alive the stars held our hearts
and we knew that our life was about to start.
....................

I stir from my sleep in the darkness of night
and struggle to stay there my eyes shut tight.
Then memories of you come into my head
and I've lost the struggle there in my bed.

As yesterday awakens from my memory
my face breaks into a smile at the reverie
and your voice comes back into my ears.
I've never felt like this before in all my years.

I think of you in your lonely bed down there
and wish I was in your arms no matter where.
I grin and roll into my pillow on my bed
as I think of all the wonderful words we said.

Outside I hear the crickets singing to the moon
my heart beats as I remember we're meeting soon.
How I long for you, to feel your touch to see your smile
to sleep in bed beside you in just a little while.

I hug my pillow and deliciously smile as I think of you
and all the things ahead we are planning to do.
Oh how I wish the days ahead would just flee
so that I could be there with you and you with me.