DANANG SUNRISE

In early August, my wife and I spent several days in Danang, Vietnam, a quick getaway for a required visa run. All my life, I was associated with the west or “left” coast. Even in Korea, having been born and grown up in Seoul, we were much closer to the West Sea than the East Sea. As the East Coast remained elusive, witnessing sunrise has been a rare occurrence.

I did not write this poem during the dawn of the day, but days later. As the sunrise scene got seared in my mind, I stayed with it and let it percolate. Then one morning in Kuala Lumpur, I had the urge to capture what I was processing. As often is the case, I do not know how the poem will end until I get there. This was no exception.

Having grown up near the west coast, the Pacific Ocean,
I have taken sunsets for granted for I have witnessed many
with my growing photo library to prove my point
Disproportionately, dawn is another matter, elusive at that,
location and weather and assiduity are required.
When in Danang, Vietnam recently on a visa run,
I quickly learned that we were facing the east ocean.
From the comfort of our hotel room, I could observe the sunrise,
too early for my liking at 5 in the morning

Not knowing what came over me, I set my alarm to witness the dawn one morning at 4:50
the daily spectacle and silent wonder over the vast horizon, as if to say
silence and wonder are perfect partners
it is the nature’s best performance of the day, the ribbon-cutting ceremony,
the sun glows faint light grey and yellow on the horizon,
changing its crimson hue in the mid-course to light-infused orange to wow us all,
to make us wordless in awe, even the busiest mouth,
to teach our chatty minds to relax, to linger
then the final bright and overbearing red glow that announces to the world,
I am here, ready to start the day, and so can you.

The non-discriminating light blankets everything in sight,
providing warmth, dry, and nourishment in non-judgmental kindness,
the rest of nature simply bows, obeys, and takes its cues from the rising sun,
the tall manmade buildings, as impressive as they are, face the ocean as if to
worship the rising sun
are simply no match in elegance and majesty.
Dawn is a miracle, not a chance,
reminding the world that we each are a miracle too.
And that there is the miracle Giver.