Writers in Myanmar
OCTOBER 6, 2007 Listen to this Story
- Writers in Mynmar
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The University of Iowa International Writing Program encourages residents to write freely, workshop their pieces and speak at public functions. It's meant a lot to the 10 writers from Myanmar who've come over the years. They don't get any of those freedoms in their home country. Weekend America host Desiree Cooper speaks with Christopher Merrill, director of the program.
"Desert Years," by U Tin Moe
Tears
a strand of grey hair
a decade gone
In those years
the honey wasn't sweet
mushrooms wouldn't sprout
farmlands were parched
The mist hung low
the skies were gloomy
Clouds of dust
on the cart tracks
Acacia and creepers
and thorn-spiral blossoms
But it never rained
and when it did rain, it never poured
In the village monastery
no bells rang
no music for the ear
no novice monks
no voices reading aloud
Only the old servant with a shaved head
sprawled among the posts
And the earth
like fruit too shy to emerge
without fruit
in shame and sorrow
glances at me
When will the tears change and
the sweet bells ring?
Translated by Maung Tha Noe, Sandra de More, and Christopher Merrill
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- Music Bridge:
- Halcyon (Beautiful Days)
- Artist: Mono
- CD: Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (Temporary Residence)
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