By Kho Tararith
Global Conversation
Please listen to the chanting of the above poem here and read its translation below:
Symbol on the Border
Living in the Khmer territory watching its border, where gifts arrive from other nations,
due to the loss of all the children who once provided delicious food.
I am a protective spirit (neakta) who helps safeguard the Khmer land.
But some children abandon their family homes, leaving the land where they used to live happily.
The Khmer food and language I once enjoyed are now diminishing.
As a neakta, I become so concerned, seeing thieves from nearby and afar offering gifts.
Forgive me all Khmers, for crossing the border for gifts
For I need to live till the morrow, and avoid poverty.
Living in the Khmer territory watching its border, where gifts arrive from other nations,
due to the loss of all the children who once provided delicious food.
I am a protective spirit (neakta) who helps safeguard the Khmer land.
But some children abandon their family homes, leaving the land where they used to live happily.
The Khmer food and language I once enjoyed are now diminishing.
As a neakta, I become so concerned, seeing thieves from nearby and afar offering gifts.
Forgive me all Khmers, for crossing the border for gifts
For I need to live till the morrow, and avoid poverty.
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