Miền Tây Poem by Kieran John J McGuigan

Way back then,
I left your doorstep in sad goodbyes
Saying, ‘I'll think of you every day'.
So weighed down heavy in Desires
Wishing to stay, I turned, walking away

Way out East o'er Sea,
‘mid sail in smokey mists of wilderness, lost
across the border of the Mekong Delta
golden morning glimmers across the river-market,
And off I move again; alone among many
miles afloat
on muddy streams
of wild troubled waters,
amongst tall evergreen swamps of rice
& honey-myrtle

Yet, regrets keep deeper assured
That way back then
I should've turned
and spent that final moment
in a lifetime at your lips.