Safe Place Poem by VICTORIA HEIM

Years ago
where rice is planted
near the Irrawaddy River
King Alaungpaya
named a village, Yangon
safe place
foreigners would say
Rangoon
Many different peoples can live together
in unity
for reassurance
Look to Mount Popa;
where the spirits
numbering thirty-seven
call home
good deeds and good toughts
are like precious gems
fear is forever banished
the name
safe place
Yangon
cries out each new day
to be remembered