THE TRAVELER: REFLECTIONS FROM THE EAST

"Know thyself".
What better way to do so than to travel?
Many experiences still wait my sensing.
How I've grown will only be measured by how I've changed:
what I do and do not do.
I hope these feelings and experiences change to actions
and not to simple memories
Once I hit the home shore.

--over the Pacific, first day

Hundreds of almond eyes search my round eyes --
Hoping to find a glimmer of the familiar.
Language of mouth and ear give way to
Language of hand and eye.
Words.
Thought but not spoken.
Words.
Understood by a smile.
How long does it take to communicate?
Only an eye-blink.

--Elementary School: Kyoto, Japan, 7-1

The harbor lights produce artificial peace.
The quiet is broken only by the gentle bump
As the ferry hits the dock.
The sun explodes over Victoria Peak and one
of the world's most beautiful harbors
Gets down to business.

--Hong Kong, 7-15

The site of the extinction of thousands in 1911,
hundreds in 1965 lies peaceful down below.
The lake surrounds the island
as a mighty bear surrounds her cubs.
Lava rests like cocoa at the peak of the world's lowest volcano.
God's fury sits, leashed.

--Tagatay Ridge, overlooking Lake Taal: Luzon, Phillipines, 7-16

My mind wanders as the Ambassador speaks of economy, education and defense.
I ponder where I am and how far I've come.
I left the loving and protective arms of my mother country to enter an unfamiliar one, not knowing what welcome would await.
I am an outsider in a foreign place.
I am a minority, a role unknown.

I am an ambassador representing a country known only through
warmoviestouristsnewsreports.
The sight of an American conjures up all sorts of images.
Some good.
Some not.

I have been cursed, spat upon, threatened, chased by the Red Guard.
I have been photographed, embraced, questioned, welcomed.

I have been humbled.
I have mixed with home-bound GIs and bloodied natives.
I have walked past beggars to view opulent temples.
I have contrasted what I have and what I want
in light of what they have and what they need.

Some show us their landmarks or their natural beauty.
Some with no landmarks show us their people.
Countries become personified when they reveal their inner selves.

What will the returning soldier think of Mother U.S. when he is home?
What changes will he see in himself?
What will the image of the American be after my visit?
How will I be different, better, stronger from my experiences?
Questions.
As long as I know my own answers, no one else's matter.

--Singapore, 7-25

I could fall in love here.
There's peace, there's quiet, there's loveliness.
The crashing surf, the simple ways of the natives.
I could fall in love with God's creation.
And his wondrous touch with
earthsunskysea.
I saw stars tonight - the cool sea breeze tousled my damp hair
and made a veil across my face.
But I still saw tiny flickers of life.
I could fall in love here --
In love with a way of life different from any I've known.
In love with a beautiful work of art.
In love with a people in love with life.
But most of all, I could fall in love with you,
My mysterious, unknown prince.
Cruising upon a star or a sail or a sand crab.
Most of all, I could fall in love with you.
Can you hear my soul as it rushes up to catch a star?
Can you see my heart as it rides the wind to climb a sail?
Can you feel the touch of my hand as it bends to cradle a sand crab?
Perhaps our paths shall cross on a starry night in a sailboat,
racing along with a sand crab.

--Denpasar, Bali, 7-29