Oh Cambodia!

Oh Cambodia!

Once you were adorned in rich rainbows
Gold and lace and dazzling jewels
Gifts from the king,
India’s favourite daughter.

The barbaric world stood mesmerized, intimidated
By your dainty feet in a song of steps
You danced a short history of power

Beware your enemies:
You were warned, of that whore, Siam
She seduced the man of stars and stripes
But her sons have married their brothers

Oh Cambodia!

What happened to your white garments?
Sparkling palace walls now slums of dirty plastic bags
Why did you let Vietnam tattoo himself all over you?

You sold your children to Russia
He killed them in the name of equality
So self-absorbed - your babies cry in hunger.

In deepest misery you wander in the gardens
Safe under French caretaking, escape
Back into a refuge of long-lost glory
In a mystical land when you had the gods’ favour.

Oh Cambodia!

In your wealth you were courted by China
He loved to watch you,
In communal baths, in your clear rivers,
Dripping naked and laughing like a village girl
He’s forgotten you now.

Oh Cambodia!

Sympathize when a child drowns,
But put aside the self-pity and learn again.
The Westerner offers his hand in marriage
In remorse for his brothers’ wrongs
Leave your ego with your past,
And in humility embrace him.

Oh Cambodia!