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From Banana Tree Horse by Paiwarin Khao-Ngam

• Banana Leaf Maiden

  My banana leaf maiden from plantation,

  Used to wrap white rice for provision;

  On each field trip or a journey away,

  You'd provide rice parcels to last my day.

  • You offered me rice, when hunger loomed;

    Its aroma heartened e'en the mid-day sun;

    Each mouthful was fragrantly perfumed

    With a light, lasting scent, yet heady one.

  I had loved you, my banana frond fair,

  I once guarded you with a jealous zeal;

  Then we parted, with an indifferent air

  That no winds of change could conceal.

  • lonesome in the age of modernity;

    Lonely in the epoch of emptiness;

    Lovelorn in the era of frivolity;

    Lost in the hour of hopelessness.

  I met a giggly polystyrene vamp

  At bizarre crossroads, this strange malady,

  With the smile of a coquettish tramp,

  Lured me to leave my banana lady.

  • My plantation beauty, cease flapping;

    Your green garb will turn grey before long;

    When we hear music with plastic wrapping,

    T'is the end of our banana love song.

  
  
  Translated by M.L. Birabhongse Kasemsri

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