Cambodia

Three weeks ago our church held a 'Cambodia Evening' - we ate Cambodian style food, heard about folk we know who are working over there, saw some photographs and a film. It was a great evening!

It also brought back memories of seven years ago, to the day, that four of us from the church made a visit to Cambodia. A trip that had lasting effect on my life - the people, the poverty, the fact that there were no 'safety nets' and that life there is lived 'on the edge'. I also remember how close I felt to God during that trip.

I wrote one or two poems while we were over there, and this is one of them....

Two Girls

Intense heat blankets everything

An overcast sky blocks out the sun

Holds the warmth close around us

As we walk through red dust

And muddy puddles

Towards a bridge of planks

Over a stinking stream

Where shanty huts stand in black water

And rubbish spills over the mud.

Motos and bicycles jostle for space

Careering close to the water's edge

Women with baskets of fruit balanced

Across their shoulders or on their heads

A pick-up truck rattles across

Not stopping as people scatter.

And through the confusion

Of noise, and smell, and dirt

Two school girls

In pristine white blouses

Calmly negotiate the bridge,

Deep in conversation

On their way home.