I sit in the abandoned classroom, accompanied and hassled by the squad of flies, diving in, alighting on my neck and flitting away, just enough nuisance to distract. There’s so many at this time of year Where do they all come from? I hear a couple voices down the way and peek at the clock …
Author Archives: Radutti
universal
I sneak into the back of the cab It’s always a quiet moment. Invariably, as the driver sees that I am not ‘from around here’, he keeps quiet. I, being not ‘from around here’, do the same. I settle in, watch the lights of the neighbourhood wander past, and listen The radio is gentle, understated, …
IWD
Happy International Women’s Day! It should be, and is, for many. But it’s not, for far too many others. We read Malala’s Magic Pencil this morning. About how she wove magic, achieved the unimaginable. With her words. How words have power. There is an audible gasp in the classroom when I tap the statistic that …
Alley
Like many things in Hanoi, these winding streets feel unimaginable. The narrowest of alleys, sheperded by iron gates, concrete walls, towering apartments. All linked with secret turns and punctuated by the sharpest of angles. The sky darkens from gray to black, dusk is here. We’re unconcerned, despite being trapped like rats and even accompanied by …
Perch
My eyes are drawn First, to the bike. Immaculate, sleek, defined. This is the treasure of one who tends, with care. Both helmets perfectly placed, one hanging, as it should, from the handlebar, ready at moment’s notice. The second, lain in wait, nestled securely in cradle, eager for a second rider. The spokes define the …
Chrysalis
The days before proper Spring are cynics. We follow their lead, and are solidified. Ensconced. Chrysalid. These days we, along with this city of millions, are on lockdown. But we still find a way to venture out. Let’s try to grab a bite The weather persists. Cool, wet, saturated, all drizzle and (small p) acific …
The Bends
The impossible lane, being impossible, stretches farther than I imagined My steps are tentative, the bike light guiding my way I get a few strange looks, which beg why is he pushing it what’s wrong We had laid the bike down that Saturday, Rhino and me. Our near-collision came around the blind corner at full …
Many things
Many things can be true, at once. My brown flip flops dart between the hardscrabble red dirt and dried brush as the sun beats down. Each step meticulous, geared to avoiding pokes and stickers. Who am I It can be true that colleagues and educators, around the planet, are giving their all, all day, managing …
Not today
I’m starting to feel the lactic acid build up. The wind, previously a boon, is now in my way. We’re some 27 km into our ride as we crest the border of the town. A subtle shift, mostly green to now mostly shops. A row of stores, all metal, corrugation, Shuttered. When Vietnam locks down, …
Ebb
* The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythm * When crossing the street in Vietnam, you do it with rhythm Two, four, six lanes of traffic, steady. Cadent. Like how you pass days in quarantine. We’re stuck here For the first …
Get Up Eight 