say Bethan like you say Before

Say Bethan, like you say before

stress falls on the second syllable

because it's a Welsh name, and

A is a cAstle, not a villA.



The first day I met her,

she was the Bethan driving

an old car to help me with the move.

It's my baby car, she said.

A touch of love emerged on her face.

My elder sister gave it to me after using it for 3 year.

It's dying, but she is my baby.



The second day I saw her,

she was the Bethan making

an omlet in the kitchen.

I don't like babies. They are ugly and annoying. She said.

I thought so when I looked at them in my teens.

You will change your mind. My parents told me.

I still think so after 10 years.



The third day I talked to her

she was the Bethan doing manual labour on her parents' farm.

I love the cows. She waved her hands with big knuckles.

My ankle hurts. She said. I injured it in my jitsu class,

but I'm going to surf this weekend.

Can I go with you and film you surfing? I asked.

No! No picture of me! I never like my own image or voice.



The forth day I listened to her stories

she was the Bethan sitting in an internet cafe in Mexico.

Outside, people were shouting and threatening to break into the shop.

Then she circled Guatemala on a rented bike, then all the way

down to Bolivia, where she helped teach in a local school.

The kids are all the same, no exception in the poorest region.

The boys are greedy and the girls are bitchy.



The fifth day I walked with her

she was the Bethan wearing flip-flops

and a blue T-shirt with 2 red cartoon cars on.

I find you attractive and I like you. I said.

Oh. She paused. I could see some light on her face

reflected from the shimmering street lamp.

I'm flattered, but I don't feel the same way.



The sixth day, I asked God, who said,

one moment please. I need to populate this land.

So he did. He brought woman and man onto the earth.



The seventh day, God said to me, I'm too tired.

I need a break. No question for today.

But Bethan... I rushed out these two words as he turned away.

Say Bethan, like you say before

when Susan took you to the same river and you fell into it.

You are in a country where the dragon was slain,

where A is a sAd, not hAppy, ending.