Phnom Penh

Walk on dusty streets
Treading forlorn paths
With silence I speak loud
Hiding bitter wrath

The language I don’t speak
Converse only smiles
Can they read my heart
No lies deceit beguiles

My neighbor ancient man
Grey haired reminds of dad
Sit with him drink tea
His company I’m glad

He speaks to me merci
The only French he knows
His smile speaks books
Familiarity grows

And I, I rest at home
With comrades new or dear
Hide from them deep pain
Disguise bitter tears

The one of them young man
With wife and 2 kids
Reminds me of my own
Emotions under lids

The other one heart friend
He Who kindly hugs
Can’t speak so much to him
Alas bitter rub

Then we travel miles
On motors of slow speed
They laugh at fearful prayers
I dread perchance to bleed

And then to come home
What travesty this name
I call it home alone
What’s truly in a name

The children’s laugh and smile
A joy I rarely share
Beg for busy work
Of loneliness to bear

A self imposed solitude
I pray in this I grow
No fool to share the pain
No one truly knows

I pray forgiveness far
Not pity comprehend
I send my love in notes
To forsee the end

I will return one day
In victory a smile
Proclaim I made it whole
I know the worth of trials