standing beside eight thousand skulls
pumpkins without smiles, condemning, pleading
A glass case holds the story, heads of the dead
tourist attraction, whitewashed by time
prelude to the fields, showered in blood
silent now except for the screams held in the wind
step out into the field of lost dreams
where bleached white bones of the innocent
rise from the ground, unearthed by monsoon rains
they rise as if to proclaim their innocence
the injustice of The Rouge, see its stain
there are trees billowing in the wind, bark dented
evidence of babies bashed against hardened trunks
until their brains flowed free, planted now like seeds
follow the river, filled with blood with nowhere to flow
oh the Rouge, feel its depravity and pain
images of bodies starved, covered in sores, putrid smells
bamboo sticks, axes, knives and plastic bags
innocent items, now weapons of preferred choice
bullets to precious to waste on anyone,
bodies hung from fraying ropes, dangling absently from trees
The Rouge, the stain, can you feel the sorrow?
follow the river to the bone graveyard
screaming skulls wrapped in plastic so tight
day turned into an everlasting night
like goldfish trapped in a bowl, no gills to breathe
no breath left to even hold
The Rouge legacy unfolds, the story now retold
A teacher, poet and Buddhist priest share the same grave
the ethnic, the learned and all those who prayed
schools turned to cells, locked not in learning
students with no skin left on their bones
fear the only lesson, no going home
The Rouge's dream of civilization, conform!
their motto, the code chosen to live by
"to keep you is no gain, to destroy you is no loss"
listen to the Rouge's screams, power, dominance
would the screams die with their demise?
no, they left their mark on the future as well
ahhh the cunning Rouge, your evil continues on
twenty thousand presents left cruelly in the ground
rides into the sky for children to step on
arms, legs, extra limbs lined up like pop tarts
oozing the filling inside, red, the Rouge you have not died
see the little boy with no legs, he went out to play today
ahhh the Rouge you destroyed life again, you win
the guide calls us all near, the tour has ended
time to go back to our homes, safe and warm
but the cries will be locked in our ears, the whispers
voices from the past "sshhhh bodies have disappeared here"
death will be felt on our skin, the war maybe over
but in Cambodia, death still lives menacingly within!
Author notes
Written June 29th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- History: BIG events and BIG people by Yorkshire Rose.
450 points, ended August 15, 2008, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 90 of 90
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Whoa, I feel special! I got it right! You've described a scene I briefly was told about, and with the imagery and vividness, it was so easy to know what you were talking about, without actually naming an event outright. I love it when people do that! The word choice is beautiful, and the phrases you weave together make me wish I thought of them first! Great job!
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one very good poem, some bang on desricbing words and more amazing lines, well done and thank you for your entry
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Stza 1 I think the most gripping part is your "bleached white bones of the innocent/Rise from the ground...as if to proclaim their innocence". Perhaps an alternative to using 'innocent/ce' twice, maybe 'guiltless' or something along that line (personal preference only!)
Stza 2 I liked your 'river, filled with blood with nowhere to flow', and 'innocent items', 'bullets to (perhaps you meant "too"?) precious'. I did not understand the 3rd line of this stanza "brains flowed free, planted now like seeds".
Stza 3 Excellent protrayal with 'goldfish' metaphor.
Stza 4, the legacy of landmines well portrayed
Stza 5 Yes, still so much to recover from, as a people!
Excellent write on a horrific enterprise
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I like the things that you brought out of this poem, and I like the way your expressed yourself in a detailed way. Nice.
Best of wishes
---Inanosense--- -
This write very much reminds me of a crime documentary that I watched on Crime on Sky TV. It was about this mother and child whom were killed in a field/moore. The mother was raped then knifed to death. Then raped again (though can you call it rape when they aren't living anymore?) and buried under the grass. The child, aged around 1 or 2, was strangled, though still screaming the killer smashed its head against something hard like a tree trunk, a stone etc and then dropped it in a near by pond. Disgusting.
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I understood all!
Genocide must be remembered. Your poem is the best at AP that I have seen on ther subject. You never over-stated and you used repetition judiciously. Thank you. Lyndon of the Winklings. -
Thank you Robin, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece for this one is part of me, I don't know why but as I wrote it I felf every word. Thanks for the great feedback, I appreciate it so very much!
Bunny
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I will not give the appluse on this so I can give them to some folks I don't know who have commented on me. I have often said the greatest compliment is to say that I wish I had written it. I am going to print this out and share your talent with others. I have to say that this write sceams, even shrieks of talent. I am speechless. I don't remember if you gathered your info from the movie or your own study, it does not matter. The power and force of the images contained in this museum of horror and mans ability to forget that he is also a man. What was gained, what was lost, and what is forever not to be known in those voices that will never be heard. Again, I am blown away. RC
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Thank you so very much for your wonderful comments on this piece, I am so glad you enjoyed it. It is one of my favorite pieces for it leads the mind to think and see, but most of all feel the horror that the Killing Fields were. Hugs, Bunny
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I believe you fully when you say you like writing poems that make people think because this has got to be one of the most thought provoking poems I have ever read.. this was severly intense!! I mean so vivid to the point of being distubing.. I could see these images carved out in front of me.. burning across my memory and heart.. the imagery was out of this world.. I am past the point of impressed and I thank you for entering such a masterpiece into my contest.
Amy -
Thank you so very much for your wonderful comments, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece and yes I think it is the best I have written, it is something I felt passionately about and I think that comes thru in this work. Bunny
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I loved the innocence of the background and the contrast of the dark, evil nature of the piece. I like contrast in general and this poem showed a good amount of it. I believe it is the best you have written. I have no doubt! Thanks for entering and best of luck!
Madison -
Thank you so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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lengthly
This is actually one of the few well-written "dark" poems that I've read here. I appreciate it. The criticism I have is that it's long and sometimes says the same thing over again with different wording. But kudos anyway, it shows hard work, I think - something a lot of poetry lacks these days. -
Thank you so very much for your wonderful comments, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the encouraging applause! Bunny
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EXCELLENT!
SHEAR BRILLIANCE! Paints amazeing pictures, and very moving, ime quiet speachless....
Yer just Brilliant, faultless! -
Thank you very much, I am so glad that you enjoyed this piece, thanks for the wonderful remarks! Bunny
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Whoa very powerful piece.. Full of imagery and plenty of it. I liked it alot. I dont usually like writes that dont rhyme - but i like this write alot. Thankyou for entering the contest and good luck!
Danoz
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Thanks so very much, glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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An excellent write on mans inhumanity to man. Why do we not learn the lessons.
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Thank you so very much, glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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A powerfully written piece that invokes many a thought. Your words speak loud and clear and the message is sent straight to the reader. Welkl Done!
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Thanks so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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X cellente!!
WOW...what a liturgy to mans inhumanity to man,,,
Their motto, the code chosen to live by
"To keep you is no gain, to destroy you is no loss"
THATS unconditional love...LoL
Kinda reminds me of a Gf I once had...
I love to hate you and hate to love you..
What a vulnerable, miserable place to dwell in..
Excellent write -
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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good
LOVE IT!!! So dark yet a beautiful rose... -
Thank you so very much for your great remarks, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Bunny
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Wow, this was amazing dear. Your imagery and and detailed descriptions made this a beautifully sad piece, and you described your subject so well.
Good luck in the contest.
Ashleigh <3 -
Thanks so very much, glad you enjoyed this one! Bunny
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how graphic. well put.
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Thanks so very much for your wonderful comments and encouraging applause, I am so glad that you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Thanks so very much for your wonderful comments, appreciate them much. Glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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evocative and brilliant!!!
you have captured the damning senselessness of war and its utter wastefulness.the horror-the pain- the helplessness all leave an indelible make in human conscience.Any sane person's concept of the consequences war will invariably be altered after reading this masterful poem. -
evocative and brilliant!!!
you have captured the damning senselessness of war and its utter wastefulness.the horror-the pain- the helplessness all leave an indelible mark in human conscience.Any sane person's concept of the consequences of war will invariably be altered after reading this masterful poem.
Edited on Jun 30, 7:17 because 'Grammar'. -
Nice.. Really cool descriptuve piece.. Brings out the Khmer Rouge's tyranny vividly almost forcefully.. Nice tribute to all those who died resisting pol pot's madness.. great job!
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Thanks so very much for the great comments, I am so glad you enjoyed this peice! Bunny
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Great job!!
Twenty thousand presents left cruelly in the ground
Rides into the sky for children to step on
Arms, legs, extra limbs lined up like pop tarts
Oozing the filling inside, red, the Rouge you have not died
See the little boy with no legs, he went out to play today
Ahhh the Rouge you destroyed life again, you win
good descriptions.
Keep up the great work!!
~DesertRose
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Thank you so very much, I am glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the wonderful comments. bunny
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excellent
oh wow, that is very descriptive. i do not know how this could not win. aahhh!, so excited about this piece. -
Thanks so very much I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the always great comments and applause, I appreciate them always! Bunny
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Thank you so very much I am glad you enjoyed this piece and your fine comments are all the applause I need. Bunny
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Well sweetie, everyone can feature their own work, if you want to spend the points and around here, you have to feature to make sure your work gets read, then if your work is good, you get a lot of reads and fans who will read you constantly! thank you for reading and commenting, I am glad you liked this piece! Bunny
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Congratulations on your trophy. This poem is certainly deserving of the gold!
So intensely written. Your thoughts and emotions flow so intellegently throughout this piece. Well done my friend!
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loved it
I'm sorry but I have no applause left to give you on this. This poem is excellent however! It creates a great stir of emotion. Nice job. -
how come every time i look on featured boxx i see " " " " " " by Cupcrazy... j.p lol ur a popular author!!!! and a great 1!!!! =]
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Thank you so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this peice and thanks for the great comments and encouraging applause! Bunny
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wow vary intense i like it, has a lot of imagery great job
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Thank you so very much for your wonderful remarks and encouraging applause, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Thank you so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the great remarks! Bunny
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Thanks sweetie, so glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for your always great encouraging remarks! Bunny
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Thank you so very much, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece, thanks for the great comments appreciate them so very much! Bunny
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Great Read
I really enjoyed this write. It kept my attention the whole way through. I wish I had more applause left cause this deserves at least three. Continue the great work. Great Read.
Luke Williams -
THEY WERE KILLING FIELDS, INDEED!
IF this doesn't win The Gold - I don't know what will! It was a very describtive and eloquently written piece, indeed - and very professionally done with sadness in every line written from the heart & soul! GOOD LUCK in the contest and thanks SO MUCH for featuring this masterpiece (your best, yet) with all of here on AP!
Love & Peace!
Earl.
Sadly, I am out of applause for today BUT if i remeber I'll be back tomorrow to leave you some and to read this again! -
beatifully grotesque
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gee this makes me think back to my freshman year when i was taking a class on Pol Pot and his reign..nice job..i couldn't have done better.
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Thank you so very much, yes the Killing Fields of Pol Pot's regime are a living testament to the Khmer Rouge's inhumanity and the total mindless brutality that existed, there are still remnants of the Khmer Rouge that are brewing there still under the surface. I am glad you enjoyed this piece and thank you for the encouraging applause! Bunny
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Mao's insatiable urge to slaughter was extended beyond China's borders by the Khmer Rouge. Pol Pot was a similarly twisted spirit. They are the personification of mankind's boundless insanity. You've expressed it well in this poem. Take care,
RAge
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Thank you so very much for your always wonderful remarks and encouraging applause, I appreciate them both so very much. I am glad thet you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Great write, Cupcrazy, as usual. You have once again shown your awesome talent with words and imagery. Keep up the great work and keep that pen flowing sweetheart. I always wait for new work by you to come out.
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Thanks so much, glad you liked it! Bunny
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Congrats on the gold!!!!!
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Thank you so very much for the wonderful comments and encouraging aplause, I am so glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Thanks so very much, glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the great comments! Bunny
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Thank you so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the wonderful comments and encouraging applause! Bunny
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Whoa! a lot of strong imagery happening here, well-written and gruesome to the core!!! well done
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This is an amazing piece filled with imagiary one of the best pieces i have read for a while on here.excellent
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I chose the background to symbolize that it was just an ordinary field, one that you would fnd anywere, yet there was so much death there, that even today years after the war has ended when the heavy rains fall, the bones are unearthed and rise to the surface. Evil can be ordinary looking, Cambodia is proof of that! Glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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This is a creepy poem. What made you choose the background for it? You had verry good imagery when writing this poem. Great Job!
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This piece is about the Killing Fields of Cambodia, an internal war that went on for many years, two million people died in this senseless quest for power and dominance. The graphic images are the truth of what happened there unfortunately. I am glad you enjoyed the piece and I thank you for your wonderful remarks! Bunny
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Wow! That was a very intense story that you have going on here! Really scary too.
It was based off a of a real story, wasn't it? And even if it wasn't, it's sad because there are stories out there like that. So many of them that it makes you just want to bury your head sometimes! You use strong words in this. There was a lot of harsh imagery that I also found hard to stomach. Not because it was badly written but more because it was just hard for me to read, on a personal level. I think that you did a great job in expressing yourself here. So good luck in the contest you entered and thanks for featuring this so that we all had a chance to share your words and feelings with you!
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Thanks so very much Marc for your wonderfully encouraging remarks and applause, so glad you enjoyed this one! Bunny
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Thanks so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the great remarks and encouraging applause, apreciate them both! Bunny
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Thanks so very much, I am glad you enjoyed this one and thanks for the great comments! Bunny
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Thanks so very much, glad you enjoyed this one and thanks for the great remarks! Bunny
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This is one of your best pieces. Your imagery and the power of the metaphor that runs throughout this piece were such that I knew within the first two stanzas what you were describing.
Your rhythm is, as always, excellent; but there's really no need of me to keep saying that.
Great work, and best of luck in the contest
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WOW Im amazed. this piece paints a picture so vividly in the readers mind. It is a really great work i enjoyed it alot.
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Oh good piece. It seems a little creepy too. Good work. I really liked how everything flowed together and an interesting piece to boot.
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Interesting, well written poem!
Images of bodies starved, covered in sores, putrid smells
Bamboo sticks, axes, knives and plastic bags
Innocent items, now weapons of preferred choice
Bullets to precious to waste on anyone,
Bodies hung from fraying ropes, dangling absently from trees
The Rouge, the stain, can you feel the sorrow?
It's very creative too!
Keep up the good work!!
~DesertRose
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Thank you Rory for your wonderfully insightfil remarks, I appreciate them and am glad that you enjoyed reading this piece! Bunny
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Thank you Bill for your wonderful comments and encouraging applause, yes man's depravity knows no bounds it seems! hugs, Bunny
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Thanks so very much, I am glad that you enjoyed this piece and yes it is a fairly accurate description of the horror that so many endured. I thank you for your wonderful comments and encouraging applause, I appreciate them so very much! Bunny
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Excellent
A graphic and very powerful poem, Cupcrazy. A solid reminder of man's inhumanity to man.
Regards,
Bill -
yay
hi there! I did this thing at Project Common Ground where we re-enacted the cambodian killing feilds and it was absolutely terrifying like you said. They had dogs and everything and they were shouting in cambodian and there were gunshots. I think this is a very acurate representation of the pain that went on in those areas. Awesome. -
an incredible retelling of one of modern history's darkest times. This piece depicts both the horrors of the past, and the sombre emotions felt while visiting this horrendous place. Very well done.
Rory -
Thank you so very much for the wonderful remarks, I appreciate them so very much although I did not wish to make you queas, sometimes the truth though has a way of being way more horrendous than fantasy eh. Glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Oh wow, such feeling and macabre. There was a part where I felt a little sick, mostly because my latest experiance with plastic bags had somethign to do with dead pig guts and I don't want to imagine that over someone's head. . .
To make me so into it that I personally get queasy is a great achievement of engaging your reader and submersing them into your 'poetry world'. Good job.
.billie. -
Thank you Aaron so much, glad you enjoyed this piece and thanks for the encouraging applause and great comments! Bunny
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YAY!!!
That is so...Descriptive...Not just the story that I think is told here, the description totally draws the reader into the poem. For me it is hard be descriptive without making it all boring, but this poem was amazing.
Your Son ♥
Aaron -
Thanks so much sweetie, glad you enjoyed this piece! Bunny
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Well you've done it yet again. Amazing wording. I didn' know where you were talking about until the last line. Nice job.
-Billy the Kid-
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