The Curse of Commerce

1.

Words I can’t comprehend

Spoken by men yielding tools I don’t know how to use

Building things I can only fathom

Imagined by others

Soon to be touchable, visible, functional

 

One thing I do understand

Is the soundtrack of Da Nang

            Of my neighborhood

Is comprised of the mating calls of commerce

In competition as in concert

Hopes of power financed by whom?

            Fear

            Striving

Drawn to status’ light

            Huddling around

            Closing in

Backs to the rest of the world, shadows lying over

What exists

            And has been

            But can be no more

 
 

2.

Who’s looking to whom?

How would we live without examples of those who had gone before?

            Other generations

            Neighbors

            Nations

Is there a need for that building?

Or has the need been contrived—or is it yet to be?

No lack of hotels, resorts

Most windows remain dark most nights

Nobody there to witness the progress of another

Being built in the neighboring lot