Thai physics

I drive down the little lane on my little motorbike. A dog lying in the road gets up and looks at me in a bad way. I sputter onwards. An old woman carrying a heavy load emerges from a sidestreet – like she didn’t even see me coming, or like she didn’t even care. I hit the brakes. I notice my sour mood getting more sour. A cute little girl in her little school uniform looks at me like I’m dangerous.

I stop.
I put both feet on the ground.

I say to myself.
Go with joy, or don’t go at all.

I breathe deeply.
It takes a while.

I feel joy return.

I feel joy return.
To my mind.
To my body.
I feel it shine in me.

I sputter onwards.
The dogs in the road part to let me pass.
Children smile.
Lights turn green.

Another Thai lesson.