So Long, Halong
As we ride out of Cat Ba
through a valley circled
by limestone crags,
a compilation of pop ballads
from the seventies and eighties
oozes from the speakers
and the affable English backpackers
at the back of the bus
groan in faux horror
as Aerosmith follows Bryan Adams
follows George Michaels
follows Michael Jackson
but when the Bee Gees launch
“How Deep Is Your Love”
the backpackers quieten down
and the driver stops honking his horn
at the dogs, children, women
in cone hats and cyclists
with finely balanced cargos
who drift carelessly
in front of the bus
as if it was an invisible
visitor from the future,
and we all strain against
the tug of the song’s chorus
far too cool to sing along
except for one backpacker
let’s call him Nigel
or Christian, or Jason, or Justin
who, in a high piping voice
declares his oneness
with the song’s embattled lovers.
This poem was first published in Oddball Magazine, and is a re-post from 2016. Participating in Open Link Night over at dVerse.
What an interesting contrast with those pop-songs to the exotic destination…
LikeLike
Thanks Bjorn!
LikeLike
I like the description of the bus as a visitor from the future.
LikeLike
Thanks Frank!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great juxtaposition and sense of place. When a poet travels, the world becomes their blank page, begging for words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just catching up here, Glenn, thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
LikeLike
What a journey you take us with your words. Nice poem. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLike
I totally have “How Deep Is Your Love” stuck in my head now, nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That song is a real ear worm!
LikeLike
Thanks for the ride!
LikeLike
You are welcome!
LikeLike
You made this a word picture journey with a soundtrack. I know this era of music and it added a lot to the poem.
LikeLike
Thanks, Ali!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahhh. ha long bay and song artists. an interesting combo!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beguiling! ❤️
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Such an interesting read. I like the casual voice in naming musical artists and “let’s call him Nigel or…..”
LikeLike
Thank you, Mish!
LikeLike
I love that you included the song titles and also the seeming randomness of different pieces of the poem give it a unique and felt flare.
LikeLike
Thank you, much appreciated.
LikeLike
This was great. A panoramic smorgasbord of observations of human nature and fascinating place… really enjoyed this Jim!
LikeLike
Thanks Rob!
LikeLike