Takoyaki laments (Vietnam)

You are born of flour and octopus bits. You start as a shapeless dollop; she keeps prodding you, turning you round and shaping you. You are so happy to have such a lovely mom. But just when your heart swells and you turn brown, the mom packs you in a box, and off you go.

My home in Saigon, the Japanese town, is never dull. I became an artist and a poet here.

A tangle of wires,

scripts that I can half read,

food that I can twice eat,

and smiles that I oft miss.

Update: 2021,  I made a presentation on Saigon’s Japan Town at the Asian Civilization Museum Interest Group(Google Slides).

Update: 2019, Come, explore my home.