The Rape of Bali

Then it was a haven
swaying palms along the beach
soughing sounds of wind
over the palm fronds
at times a girl in batik sarong
scratched the sand on the beach
for clams to serve to her beloved
in her castle of bamboo

Then blew the wind of change
they came the giants from the sea
ships and vessels guns and cannons
looming over the sandy shore
they took they plunder
they raged on the innocent
the white giants and their soldiers
stormed the Singaraja
house of the King

the Nusantara warriors bowed not cowed
fought against the strength of iron
struggled against the foreign might
who planted their stake on shores
other than their own
invited not, asked not
enter the house like hermit crabs

In a year the masters
From the land below the sea
toppled and controlled
The northern Bali kingdoms
of Buleleng and Jembrana
rest not the conquered heart
sleep not the imprisoned soul
Today Bali stands, spirit intact.