Japan is Zen profound
But Thailand is gaudy, hot, sticky
Pedophiles appear
Some of them Japanese

Went to the mall often
Board games in Bangkok
Truly terrible traffic
Me: too scared to drive

Thomas Merton. Buddhadasa.
Touched a tiger trembling
Stray dogs limping
Military monks

My sons in muay Thai
Nitnoy joy
Hot. Humid. Sticky.
Thailand, Land of the Free.

             Let it Be!