A Cambodian Ballerina

by John Grey / July 6th, 2025

In her tale, there were
a peaceful people
who grew rice
in paddies
up and down the hill,
knew nothing of cities,
of politics, philosophies,
wanted only to scratch out a living
from the soil, the rains,
the scorching sun.
Not for her,
broken English,
but dance,
a story told by hands,
lithe body
and legs on tip-toe.
Then the soldiers came
for her face and knees.
One paled, the other buckled.

John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in New World Writing, River And South and Dissident Voice. Latest books, Bittersweet, Subject Matters and Between Two Fires are available through Amazon. Work upcoming in Paterson Literary Review, White Wall Review and Cantos. Read other articles by John.

This article was posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2025 at 8:00am and is filed under Poetry.