Saat Aku Hujan

Photo is from here

Saat aku menjadi hujan

yang luruh dan meresap

di tanah-tanah berwarna gelap;

kau tak usah gusar, hanya coba hiruplah
manisnya petrichor yang meruah--
aroma hujan bercampur debu tanah

Saat aku menjelma hujan

yang jatuh singgah di dahan dan daun-daun

lalu menguap saat angin mengayun;
kau tak perlu risau, hanya tunggulah sebentar
akan datang pelangi yang mekar
di mega-mega biru segar...

Moving Notification

Due to one and another reason, I'm making another blog. This new blog is designed especially for posts in English. Meanwhile, this blog--Lilalily--will be in Bahasa Indonesian. So, most of posts in English in this old blog will be exported to the new one.

The name of my new blog  is Purple Nook. It's actually an old name; I've ever used it for this blog before I chose Lilalily as a new name. Now that I'm making the new one, I can't resist not using it again. I love this name.

This new blog is not fully maintained, but hope you are pleased to dropping by and taking a little look in this new nook. Here's the Purple Nook.

Happy blogging... :)

Salah Mengira

aku baru tahu
aku telah salah mengira jingga adalah ungu
aku baru saja mengerti
bahwa dia yang dulu bukanlah aku...

The Courtesy of the Wooden Mask

Photo Courtesy of Tess Kincaid

This beautiful wooden mask
hanging on the wall of your past

It never once betrays you or me or us
for it only shows the real face of itself
not the real you or me--
not the real us

Now that you and me
want to see each other--
the real us
we're suddenly in doubt, worried
for we may betray
the courtesy of the wooden mask!



*Note:
Written for Magpie Tales #74

The Broken House

Raspy whisper of wind is still rumbling
through a house fallen into a ruin
one night storm made it rubble--
salient proof of fall.
I now rare to know,
if resiliency
will rummage
the broken
house!






*Note:
This Nonet is written for One Stop Poetry. 
Nonet is a form of a poem with a total of nine lines. The first line must have nine syllables, second line eight syllables, third line seven syllables and so on until you end with one syllable.

You Can't Grow a Tree in a Kitchen

You can't grow a tree in a kitchen

on a dining table made of glass

for a tree needs to grow its root

deep down rooted in the earth

You can't grow a tree in a kitchen

where the sun is blocked to enter

for a tree needs shafts of sunlight
to make a food in its green leaves

You can't grow a tree in a kitchen

but you don't believe me and listen

the smile in your face make me worry

for it will turn to be angry and gloomy

as the tree will soon be weary

You can't grow a tree in a kitchen

but you don't believe me and listen

as well as you won't understand

that we should sometimes be kind

to let something go for peace of our mind

You just can't grow a tree in a kitchen

but you don't believe me and listen...

*Note:

This post is written for Thursday Short Story Slam Week-5 Children's Literature. Photo is taken from this website.
Besides, I also submit this post for Thursday Poets Rally Week 48. 


***

Update:


It's surprising that I have won The Perfect Poet Award of Week 48. 
The following is my award. Thank you for the award, Poets Rally.
Find my Haiku for the award picture as follows... :)

***

The Summer is Ready 


dandelion clocks fly free 
as light breeze blows gently 
Oh, summer is ready!


***


I vote for Cherlyn!




*

I See This Girl and Guy

This picture is a work of Bonnie.

I see this girl, a particular girl
standing in a corner of this gallery:
she looks so worried or weary
I can tell it from the swing of her earrings from pearl

I see this guy, a guy in all black
I can't tell how he looks or feel
he just seems so amazed he stands still
in front of the big painting of black

I suddenly realize it
this girl can't take off her eyes from the guy in a black
who can't take his eyes off the painting of black

I then wondered, but please forgive me for this thought:
if this is a story of love triangle in a modern world--
between a girl, a guy, and this guy's beloved artwork.





*Note:
This poem is written for Friday Poetically with Bryan Miller who provided three artworks of her friend, Bonnie, to be picked one as an inspiration of writing a poem.
Thanks to Bryan and Bonnie for this week's prompt... :)

In This Little Summer House

In this little summer house

I sit still and browse

through the vast field of wheat

remembering how we first met

The big yellow sun shines 

the birds sing in the far pines

I listen to their voice

giving me such strenght to rejoice

How much I miss you, how could I tell?

You're just so far away, I couldn't trace your tale

*Note:
This post is written for Mag 72 by Magpie Tales.

The Sad-Looking Stranger

I could only wonder:
What's there crisscrossing your mind
I believe it's not that clear as the plain water,
but black as the umbrella in your hand

I could only stare:
What's there in your look
It seems you long forget how to smile
no strange you look so crook

If only I could take a look to your mind
as easy as I open and see inside your big blue bag
maybe I could give you my hand
to find soon your lost luck back!

* Note:
This post is written for Writing Exercise (Monday, 4th July) for Creative Writing Ink.

Tentang Lena dan Duda Kaya

Adalah kisah tentang Lena
gadis miskin yang menikah dengan duda kaya
pada duda ia tak cinta
apa daya kehendak orang tua tak bisa ia cela
demi membayar hutang keluarga

Duda kaya punya anak dua
Ia kerja, Lena mengurusi anaknya
hari kelima semua pembantu dipecatnya;
Lena bilang ia bisa kerjakan semua:
mengurus anak, rumah, dan isinya

Duda kaya makin hari makin cinta
pikirnya ia tak salah pilih istri kedua
pulang kerja rumah rapi, anak terurus kebutuhannya
meski malamnya Lena lelah dan cepat tidurnya

Tak terasa tiga bulan sudah usia pernikahan mereka
duda kaya mulai merasa
ia bukannya tak salah pilih istri kedua
melainkan pembantu rumah tangga...



Note:

Ditulis di sesi Reading Lights Writers' Circle (Sabtu, 2/7) dengan tema: Miskin sebagai gaya hidup.
Saya memilih menulis narrative poem sebab sedang tidak bisa menulis cerpen.... :)

My Phobia and You

Yes we know exactly that I'm phobia of heights. Acrophobia, they call it. So, it's not a secret that I will avoid doing anything which will trigger my phobia. I hate balcony. I avoid looking through the window glass from a room in a second floor, not to mention in a 13th floor and so on. There's no strange that I hate apartment. I prefer spending more hours trip by bus to travelling by airplane. That's why I've never gone that far, unlike you, the most adventurous man and passionate backpacker I've ever known. Maybe, this is one reason of why I fall in love with you. People say we tend to fall in love with ourselves that we see in others, but apart from that we tend also to fall in love with someone who will complete us as persons.

I don't know where you are right now. The last postcard I received from you telling me that you are somewhere in Asia. You said you fall in love to the beautiful scenery around you, the fresh air, the singing of birds you hear every morning, the tropical atmosphere, the local ladies, etc. You even wished that you could live there with me for the rest of your life. You also said that you can't wait to do climbing in the near mountain the next day. You showed me the track you will pass to that mountain; it is in the postcard picture. This bridge--I even couldn't believe people call this frail piece of wood and rope as a bridge--will lead your way to the mountain and find the climbing spot.

The last line you wrote was a joke saying that next time I should pass this frail bridge to get me you. Smile emoticon. Full stop. Your name.

It has been two months since I received your postcard. You've never made me this long waiting and wondering your story of where you are now, what you feel, where your next heading or plan, the local food and girls, what you do to get some money, how you get lost and find new adventure, how was the rock climbing, etc.

This postcard is the most read since one month ago, although I suffer from a headache and I always tremble every time I see the picture. And those symptoms are getting worse when I read your last line words.

***

I don't know what happen to me this morning. When I stared at the bridge, I felt like I will be able to pass this bridge for you. I felt no more headache, trembling or nausea. Yes, for the first time in my life: I want to pass this bridge, a frail bridge. This thought made my blood rushed faster. I will be able to go by plane. Maybe I need to meet psychiatrist first, but it's not a big problem. I've never this brave; I will try my best to pass it, if this bridge really could get me to you.

But, how could I know that you are there waiting?




*Note:
This post is written for the Writing Exercise by Creative Writing Ink.

The Vacation of Two Angels

Black Angel    :      Do you think somebody will notice that we're angels in disguised?

White Angel   :      We're too old for angels. 

Black Angel    :      Ha..ha...ha...

White Angel   :      Just don't let somebody see our faces.

Black Angel    :      Okay, White. I will listen to your words today. I won't let them.

White Angel  :      But actually, I'm wondering if this is weird to have an umbrella in this beautiful twilight. I'm afraid this umbrella will attract somebody's attention

Black Angel  :    That's okay. People can stand weird strangers more than beautiful angels. It's more dangerous to stand here without umbrellas. They will notice our strangely beautiful and magical faces trapped in old-ladies' bodies.

White Angel   :       Ha...ha... You need to train your magic, so next time, we won't look this weird.

Black Angel     :      Alright. If there's next time. We will be young and beautiful ladies by the seashore.

White Angel   :       Great. I've never known that you can be a good company.

Black Angel     :      Hey, what does it mean, then?!

White Angel  :     You know what, I do enjoy this one-day vacation. Though, still, it's just ironic to spend holiday with an eternal enemy. But I have to admit that I enjoy your company. You can be such nice angel. I hope it will last longer.

Black Angel   :      What will last longer; this holiday or my good behavior? I don't want to think that this holiday has made you forget that we're born as an enemy. You are the good and I'm the evil. It's violation to destiny to change that fact. 

White Angel  :       Don't start an argument, please. Can we just be friend for one day? It's a blessing that God let us to have a little rest. Why don't we enjoy it?

Black Angel    :       Okay, sorry. Hmmm... it's unbelievable I say sorry.

White Angel   :       Black...

Black Angel    :       Okay, White. Okay, as you wish. 

(Silent)

Black Angel    :      Look! The sky is getting redder now. Beautiful, right?

White Angel   :      Yeah, so beautiful. I can't wait to see the sun sets in the vast ocean.

Black Angel    :      Me, too. Well, if I may say the truth, I will never forget today's sunset ever! 

White Angel   :      So do I. It's the best and most beautiful sunset I've ever seen.

Black Angel    :      Don't say that it is because of my company. Huh?

White Angel   :      Ha...ha... I have to say--well, yes... It's one of the reasons.

Black Angel    :      Oh no, I don't like this kind of scene.

White Angel   :      Oh come on, Black... 

Black Angel    :      Yeah, whatever...

White Angel  :       Black, I know it maybe sounds weird to you...; If in the next coming days we're involved in hard battles, can we remind each other about today? So... umm...--I mean...--we shouldn't that hard fighting.

Black Angel    :      What?! What an idea! Do you think I'm stupid? You're trying to make me giving up easier! Unbelievable!

White Angel   :       Black, please... I never think that way. I just hope that you don't that hard on human... on  yourself…

Black Angel    :       So you could win more battles...

White Angel   :       Black! Oh okay, it's my fault! It's so stupid to expect the good Black in an extraordinary day like today, let alone in normal days.

In the meantime, the big red sun slipped into the ocean.

Black Angel    :      Beautiful, huh?

White Angel   :      Yeah... I feel so happy and sad at once seeing this sunset...

Black Angel    :      Well, I feel the same. 

White Angel   :      ...

Black Angel    :      Why starring at me that way? I'm a born evil, White. We have to remember this.

Note:
This post is written for Writing Exercises by Creative Writing Ink.

Ingin Menelan Bulan

Ingin menelan bulan:
biar terang dan tenang 
di dalam sini...






*

Kamu

Kamu tahu tidak: kamu adalah termasuk orang yang sangat mudah dibaca. Mudah ditebak, mudah dimanipulasi.
Dan tak kusangka, belakangan aku sadar kamu adalah juga orang yang paling pintar menipu diri sendiri, membohongi orang lain, untuk alasan yang hanya kamu sendiri yang tahu...

Kita: di Simpang Jalan

Mereka mungkin ada benarnya, ada juga salahnya.
Kita juga ada benarnya, pun salahnya.
Dalam beberapa hal tentu saja.

***

Masalah seperti ini memang rumit sekali. Tak bisa dipecahkan dengan menggunakan rumus apapun--sehebat apapun. Tak bisa dengan mudah diselesaikan hanya dengan menerapkan logika berpikir tertentu atau dengan menerapkan ajaran agama saja.

Sebagian besar orang akan bilang bahwa agama lah yang seharusnya jadi patokan, jadi solusi! Tapi mereka lupa selain hidup sebagai makhluk beragama, kita juga adalah makhluk yang perasa.

Dan di sinilah kita hari ini. Sejak awal kita sudah tahu kita akan sampai di sini--di persimpangan ini. Sesampainya di sini, hanya ada dua kemungkinan di depan sana: kita akan tetap (memaksakan diri) bersama atau (terpaksa) berpisah di sini saja.
Kedua pilihan tersebut sama berat resiko dan konsekuensinya. Kita sangat tahu ini sejak awal, tapi tak bisa berbuat apa-apa.

Kamu tahu pasti kan orang tuaku berpikiran terbuka. Mereka tidak akan memandangmu sebelah mata lalu menentang kita hanya karena kamu belum tetap bekerja, misalnya. Atau karena pendidikanmu tidak setara denganku, atau karena kamu kurang tampan, kamu bukan cendekiawan, apalagi karena misalnya kamu  keturunan suku lain. Mereka sungguh tidak akan terlalu mempermasalahkan hal-hal tersebut di atas. Kalaupun mereka mempermasalahkannya, toh kamu sudah lolos kualifikasi itu. Kamu berpendidikan, mapan, tampan, dsb.

Tapi sayang seribu sayang, sejak awal kamu sudah gagal  memenuhi kualifikasi yang paling prinsipil bagi mereka, bagi sebagian besar keluarga besarku (termasuk bagiku sendiri), dan yang utama bagi agama yang kami percaya: kamu beda agama!

Aku dan kamu beda agama!

***
__________________________________________________________________________________

*NOTE:
Ditulis di akhir April 2011. Saya lupa apa yang jadi inspirasi tulisan ini. Saya hanya sangat ingat bahwa sesuatu entah itu kejadian atau isu atau yang lainnya yang membuat saya tergerak menuliskannya.
Saya juga tidak tahu apa yang membuat saya tidak langsung mempostingnya di blog ini.

Malam ini, saat saya membacai tulisan lama di buku free-writing saya yang berwarna matahari bergambar dua pinguin biru dan dua ikan, saya pikir tulisan pendek ini layak dipublikasikan di blog... Dan ingat, ini hanya fiksi ya! :)