Princess

She, an orange bundle

turned the water red,

as she waded through the depths

with a baby knotted to her side,

forming a yogi

balance to yank at a fruit.

Lapped by waves

of a steaming klotok

riding into dock

she found her chance to hitch-hike,

to Camp Leakey,

the promise-land of bananas

and as the boat curved into port

she crept aboard,

seated herself on a pea-green bench above the unfolding waves -

there the camp rose from the water

like an ancient tomb

and she did not watch the men

as they pushed the boat’s flank into the dock

but instead, with arms outstretched,

she helped them ease closer.