We Never Remember

by Tararith

A big tree in Cambodia

Higher than others in the forest

Good fruit at the top

We Khmer cannot reach.

All the house doors are open

All the Khmer pass through

they look pale and weak

But in their hearts so strong and brave

To prepare for death.

High officials smile.

They greedily reach out their hands

To latch on to neighboring China and Vietnam

To make steadfast friends

But losing all in those friendships.

We never learn from the past.

On false pretence once again they come

To develop their own nations

While the Khmer kill each other

And lose all.