Myanmar , a fragment.

General Than Shwe sat in the shade out from under the Burmese sun. (I have no reference for this save a Burmese cat. I wonder if the sun is like that breed? ) HIs stubborn uniform jacket was in the cleaners. “Just the medals, that is all,” he commanded. Without his jacket he felt hopelessly naked, just someone sipping tea. There in the village square of Naypyitaw, the General daydreamed of making love to Aung San Suu Kyi.  She would be compliant and wholey appreciative of his desire. But no details were forthcoming. He cleaned his glasses on his sleeve and smirked. Than pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket.  Under speed dial were the words death, safe, and harmony. He couldn't remember making an entry for harmony. And yet he couldn't bring himself to delete it.  “Harmony”, he thought. “Where was harmony in his childhood. Where was harmony when he worked in the fields under the Burmese cat sun.” He remembered his dreams of the cool dark mountains in the distance. Now his dreams were filled with Aung San and military parades. And an air force. “Maybe I will make love to Aung in the cockpit of a MIG parked in a wheat field.”  He had entertained this fantasy for some time. But now sanctions made that idea vaporous.  But, still he longed for a fly-by. Another sip and he looked at his watch. No one had so much as glanced his way. “Good”, he thought.  “I can be among my  children and observe their transgressions. A monk passed by his table. They reminded him of dark stained furniture. Coffee tables, chairs, bed posts. And this allowed him to move them around, rearrange the space, even discard them if it became too crowded, too noisy.

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

This is fascinating, I would like to see more of what happens to this character.  I first was struck by: Without his jacket he felt hopelessly naked, just someone sipping tea. “Just someone sipping tea” made me see this character and how much he was tied to his military bearing, it made me hear his earlier barking about the uniform being cleaned much louder.  It's interesting to me then that at first I think he is uncomfortable being someone just sipping tea until below when he seizes that opportunity to monitor and spy not on potential transgressions, but expected ones.

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

Ron to say this is funny is putting it mildly. i can picture than shwe a burly man, he has a moustache doesnt he ? in the cockpit of his mig in the middle of a wheatfield, open skies flashing his back . 45 degrees the best angle he can get, a prelude to his many falls, cos the cockpit isnt enough for him to really get up! and just for the range of expressions on his face, i like to think suu kyi is appreciative of his desire. god forbid he should remove his uniform jacket on this day, he would rather busy himself with a few violent skirmishes. but only if he is pushed like this, otherwise he can be quite less than menacing . the harmony thing and the chilhood details give him a nice twist . please do not pause the general  :–)

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

Oh Ron. I don't know where you get these things, you float them out as if they are butterflies and yet they are great eagles of writing, birds of prey, hovering in the air waiting, waiting, catching me when I least expect. I see, feel, hear, I am sitting there, watching him watching the monks.

As I know a little of Burmese history I am sure Aung San Suu Kyi would not be appreciative of his desire, this (to me ) horrible man, who I see as not so burly but small like most of the Burmese that I met when I was there (over 20 years ago).

And yet, is there something I can feel compassion for in this military dictator?, perhaps his childhood.. perhaps.. the harmony, yes, perhaps it was there.. perhaps he looks for it still in those cool dark mountains of his dreams.

Perhaps he is not as awful as Ne Win was, perhaps.

Lets see, more please, dear Ron, open my eyes.

~ Sandra

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

This is curious and since you mentioned cats, I think cheshire cat curious.  I don't know if this was intended but it was like the General was trying to meditate and his thoughts kept wandering to Aung and fly by's or maybe it was a dream that the cat drug in.  The lack of jacket made me think of a mask.  Without it he was naked.  I loved the monk walking by.  Maybe he will allow himself to stay naked long enough to see his medals mean nothing, his migs mean nothing and so does Aung.  Only the harmony he can't remember making an entry for is real.  This is very thought provoking. 
This is a great fragment!
:)
Mame

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

There is more to Than than meets the eye. He loves parcheesi and microwave popcorn. Whether I can cull the depths of a man shut down in the way he is will be a challenge. You guys have given me more material as has the true reality of this heartbreaking situation.  Thanks for your support Surface, valli, Sandra and Mame. Another fragment forthcoming

Re: Myanmar , a fragment.

Yes Please Ron … lots more of this.

I'm also intersted in the political viewpoint that some journalists have about the name and call it still Burma … I think the BBc has a policy of calling it Burma because they don't support the Myanmar name and how it came about … read that somewhere …

off the subject but sort of similar I was surprised in Moscow when my Russian teacher ( a woman I would call emminantly educated) mentioned Peking … and she was referring to the upcoming Olypmics … when I mentioned that it was called Bejing … she gave me a very quizzal look ,and I think she decided I must after all, just be an Australian :)

Interesting, and of course, very  enticing piece of a fragment … as I say  … more please.

Jim x