“Perdition” and Unusual Emotional Descriptions

In Khmer literature, authors often talk about intestines, liver, lungs or even blood in connection with emotions. In verse-novels, the character would describe his loved one as precious to him as his lungs, even his lungs. The same descriptions occur in poetry and lyrics. In the song below, the woman describes her suffering as having felt pressure and pain in her liver. These terms probably sound odd to westerners, or to anyone who is unfamiliar with Khmer language.