Farewell, Nepal

  
Farewell Bharatpur, farewell Hakim Chowk
Farewell colorful lorries belching inky black smoke

Farewell, bamboo scaffold, prob’ly sturdier than you look
Farewell, Culture Smart!, a worthwhile book.

Farewell old men in topis who sit under trees
Farewell to not saying “Thank you” or “Please”

Farewell mangy dogs who still have their balls
Farewell monsoon season, when all the rain falls

Farewell, holy cows who will never be dinner
(But hey, that’s okay, ’cause you couldn’t be thinner)

Farewell to bikes with one seat and three riders
Farewell caste system, you people-divider.

Farewell, dal bhat, I’m sure we’ll meet again
But probably not in two thousand and ten.

Farewell to rickshaws full of building materials
Farewell, prohibitively expensive cold cereals

Farewell Indian shows of dramatic reactions
Mealtime no longer includes this distraction.

Farewell mystery bugs that appear in my bed
And shower worms (long, skinny, brilliantly red)

Farewell helmetless cyclists, both motor- and bi-
I sure hope you don’t fall, cause you’ll certainly die.

Farewell Om Shanti centers and stupas and shrines
Farewell bangles made for wrists smaller than mine

Farewell rupee notes with animals on them
And touts who are arguably more like conmen

Farewell kurtas and saris in colors so bright
Farewell to the heron, the crane and the kite.

Farewell, kids at Murry, I’ll miss you so much
I will keep your drawings, I will keep in touch.

Farewell head bobble meaning “okay” or “maybe”
Farewell, eyeliner on a six-month-old baby

Farewell to the jungle full of big scary beasts
Farewell, holiday fasting preceding the feasts

Farewell buffalo grazing by the side of the road
Farewell pony-trap pony with a too-heavy load

Farewell Avril Lavigne shirts and John Cena too
Of all the people to idolize, Nepalis chose you?

Farewell, cold showers (hot taps here I come!)
Farewell Coca-cola with Khukuri rum

Farewell, long-eared goats with knobbly knees
Farewell paddies of rice that go shhhhh in the breeze

Farewell, Nepal, until next we meet
Farewell to the dust and the grit and the heat
Farewell hot sunny days and long nights of rain
Farewell, Nepal, I will see you again.