UNMELLOW YELLOW

The sky is getting greyer by the day and

In parts, towards the horizon, it is almost glaucous.

Experts on online media lament —

Chiang Mai’s air quality indicators are unhealthy,

Approaching hazardous zones.

But pollution appears to ignore local parks and

Gardens and unkempt vacant lots and,

Now the cool nights of December and January are gone,

It is almost like the instant advent

Of a temperate climate's Spring.

Tips of new growth are evident

On evergreen trees —

A resplendent cinnabar,

Reminiscent of the tops of eucalypts

In my own country.

Frangipanis are beginning to bloom and

The pristine whiteness of the petals

Makes such a stark contrast with the dark green leaves

That one’s eyes almost pass over

The sulphur splashed hearts of the corollas.

Thais refer to frangipanis as leelawadee —

A name for resorts and restaurants and cafes.

It means something like

Beautiful in a delicate way.

The golden shower trees —

Thailand’s national flower —

Stand by streets I walk along.

Unmellow yellow petals and

Orpine green foliage

Remind me of Australia’s acacias,

Although, apart from the colours, there are few other parallels and

It is the impression gained at a distance

That brings wattle to my mind.

There are also stringy bushes with starry flowers

Gathering like vivid violet constellations

Layered over pastel replications that cascade

Like movies of mauve waterfalls.

I am told that they are known as Thailand's wisteria

Or, in the local language, as puang kraam,

Picturesquely translated as purple wreath.