Ruby - Astari Boedikoentjara
You may complain
about the rain
It’s hard to go home
without getting drenched
Nights are long
The city traffic’s a bitch
(Dark Thoughts of The Bullied)
It's more than a vacant space
or lack of expression on one's face
It doesn't contain nothing,
“Oh, but I respect you.”
While at the same time, you turn us blue
keep us homebound,
while you’re free to roam around.
What humanity?
We’re treated more like properties
He bares his straight, white teeth for a smile
as he greets me with his shy “Hello”,
while I politely nod as I go.
His dark complexion slightly glistens
under the Jakarta morning sun.
When you're gone
I wish for another day with you
Impossible but it's true
No one is ever ready for such news
I know what you did
I know what you did to her
You’ve broken her to bits
but she’s a survivor
You took what she’ll never get back
I sometimes fall asleep
and find myself there again
back to the same quiet streets
and my two best friends
I miss those peaceful streets
How do we get to be this estranged?
We’re all the same
treating each other differently
instead of trying to understand
without too much judgment
Another year gone by
left without questions why
The same old rituals
the familiar matters
The same old, mundane conversation
Questions with questions
That’s how you answer
Not much you mention,
‘though you’re such talkers
How to expect you to understand,
No more sweet smiles
full of toxic and vile
the beauty of your face
a sense of my disgrace
Your once soft, soothing voice
A night when we cross paths
a blast from the past
the way you look at me
full of familiarity
I know you’re still curious
