Ali Baba

While the other drummers held the rhythm,
Ali went off
on a tangent,
exploring the realm
of possibilities

♫ ♫ ♫

And by the time he had returned
to the rhythm,
the space cookies were ready

Would you like one?

Yes, thank you
How strong are they?

I’m not sure, baba
Let’s find out

So Ali ate a cookie,
had some tea
and then rode off
into the night

♫ ♫ ♫

The next morning
Ali awoke,
looked around
and wondered where he was

Who are you?
he asked the girl lying next to him

I’m Linh

How did I get here?

The police brought you last night
because you couldn’t find your way home
They found my card on you

You’re the girl from the music shop

Yes

Do you know the time?

Time does not exist

The sun is high
I have to go
to work

Observe carefully
as you make your way
through this week
Several paths await you
Choose well

I’ll try
Thank you

Ali played
a song on his whistle
as he descended the stairs
and disappeared around the corner

♫ ♫ ♫

That cookie was rather strong,
said Ali
when he returned to see
the cookie wallah

Would you like another?

I’d better not

Бeлoмoр Baba just came back from Peter
and he brought me a few packs
Would you like to smoke?

Why not?

So the cookie wallah
prepared a joint
Russian style
And then they smoked

♫ ♫ ♫

Have you seen any rainbows lately?

Last week I saw one
out on the edge
of town
where mushrooms grow

Magic mushrooms?

Panaeolus cyanescens
Very nice
Would you like some?

Sure

For here or to go?

To go
I have to teach tonight

Maybe later the mushrooms will teach you
something

Maybe
Thank you
I have to go

Пока

Пока

♫ ♫ ♫

Later that night
Ali sat down
and prepared a pot of tea

And after awhile
magic began to flow

♫ ♫ ♫

Привет

Привет, Ali

Those mushrooms were excellent

Hanoi’s finest

Very clear and insightful

Yes, they are wonderful teachers

I feel like I’m in a film

A dream perhaps

Yes

Do you want to continue
dreaming
or would you rather wake up?

The dream is often quite nice

Like a good story
that you wish would never end

Yes

Being awake is nice too

Yes

Just being is great

Yeah

Would you like to drum?

Yes, that would be nice
Do you have any cookies?

Regular or magic?

Magic, please

So Ali ate
another cookie
and then began to drum
with his brothers
and sisters
in Hanoi

♫ ♫ ♫