Muddied Water

There it was again,
the sound of fury
Echoing from the vast paddy field and
Pierced into my ears like Pok Su’s kris
Penetrating the innocent lime as
Sudden rush of fright hustled through my body
I was wet and nude, with my soggy dirty pals
All rushing to seek asylum from that fearful sound.
Jusoh, Wani, Jali and I, running naked in the bendang
Terrified yet our faces were decorated with bright smile
And melodious laughter accompanied each step that we took
As the coconut trees dance to the addictive tune of Mak Yong
Seemed begging to be part of our little world
We could not stop to grant them permission as
Our tired footsteps trotted the red dusty route back home
Alas! Jusoh, Wani and Jali made it but I didn’t
I was trapped by that terrified sound,
too strong for me to fight
It came from a figure in a familiar cheongsam,
Again assaulting my fragile eardrums
And my bare body was dragged home
All because of the muddied water
That had shaped my colourful life.