Ba Poem by Bryan Thao Worra

From the moment I met her
She's been wiggling,
Squirming,

This way and that
Like a naughty young nak

Or a baby pla beuk
Who dreams of wide seas.

I'm only inviting her to visit,
My words a humble net of black line

She slips through every time.

Just when I think I've got her,

Surprise, she's changed again into something
Almost immortal

Splashing in the pools of my memory,
Swimming just out of reach

While I stand upon the beach, laughing
Beneath hot stars opening the door for night

And my dreams, where she's so much easier to hold on to.