Touching Water Poem by peauladd huy

1
Here, where the moon touches the water
& the current
rapids like malleable
flooding cervixes
of shore roots & eroded stone images
& ancient inscriptions proclaiming royal deeds & offspring
pushing from shadow & harems
onto the open vista. Image the sky after bondage
opens up for the disinherited siblings.

2
Here, where once through the old fig, the sun penetrated
deep to the precious
luminance at the bottom of clear Kulen falls.
Deflected & projected angle: in shallow creek
water, dotting shadows & honored locus
erected from hips of god & creation. Imagine standing
images on the horizontal plane.

3
Here, where once Khmer ancients stationed
awaiting dragon stars & sunset
glow languished over heavy canopy
has since upturned foundation
stones & kingdom reshuffling
between the permanent & illegitimated
usurps of half-blood kings.

4
Here, where the water is like a mirror
opening up to new air & light is gradual
where residual settles after each entry.

5
Here, you can still see at the bottom of the falls
where all the waters pool
& the pool is a holding mirror
where the others see through dull light &
in the light the original tribes
wheel the sun to harvest
hour then capture the old king
of rains to feed the million rice fields.