Ruby - Astari Boedikoentjara
That is one question
you may never have the guts
to say out loud
here, right to my face.
You can’t fool me with your expressions.
Are you coming home tonight?
I’m waiting for you
I’d rather stay up
because your phone cannot be reached through
Where are you now?
“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
Sometimes your blood runs cold
at the sight before you
You may be bold
spitting out what’s true
Pent-up anger inside
Ask me not
about the bastard
who’d made this heart
nothing but a toy
my emotions, his sickest joy
Oh, you only mean so well
Of course, with the same old lines
Such familiar lies
while saving your own face
is always your best interest
They think her life is always easy
far away from poverty
Spend away and be free
Oh, they have no idea
It’s a hard worker’s earned paradise
Are you afraid of my face?
I am human too,
just like you.
This face represents me.
This is part of my identity.
How to recognise me,
The secondhand poem
you once wrote for me
now used to woo another lady
Boy, you’re so lazy!
If she knew the backstory,
she’d be displeased
Every day is basically the same.
We’ve become hamsters in our own spinning wheels.
It’s the familiar, boring game.
We’re going round and round on our heels.
The world’s become a scarier place.
Against my will
I caught your presence
Time stood still
breeding a new conscience
Never judge anyome
‘though I couldn’t help
when you decided to ridicule me
for being surrounded by boys
I chose to call friends