Chinh La — Muon Mlem Chu Do

A late night. A plastic stool on a Saigon sidewalk. A plate of ốc luộc (steamed snails) appears, fragrant with lemongrass. Your friend asks, "Aren't you full?"

Mlem.

Below is a short creative piece developed from that phrase. It starts as a whisper in the back of the throat. Not a word. Not yet. Just a shape—a tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth, testing the air. chinh la muon mlem chu do

That’s the sound of wanting without apology. The sound of a child watching a cotton candy machine spin pink clouds. The sound of a cat staring at your bowl of phở, pupils wide, whiskers twitching—not out of hunger, but out of curiosity . What does that taste like? The broth, the lime, the slight burn of chili? A late night

Then you say it, grinning: "Chính là muốn mlem chứ đó." Your friend asks, "Aren't you full

Mlem.