Today is Raya

Today is Raya
The young man from Melacca reminded me that
"Maaf zahir batin..."
The accent slightly different
It has been a while since I last spoke Malay
Or is it a bit too far from home?

I waved and said "Selamat Hari Raya!"
to a girl obviously wearing tudong
but she is from Indonesia
(I would not say I was not disappointed)
she and her friend were happy I did that

I released 4 tiny birds into a bush
in front of a neon light covered motel
in Linkou
I picked the spot because it was bushy(of course)
and the water sprinklers were on
(I thought they might need to drink
after puasa)

I paid my rent
and I had a long long chat with Haywen
on the internet

Today is Raya 2006
worth remembering
as it is
in Linkou
Taiwan

October 2006

This October
on this island seems so isolated
and confused
there is one thing worth
remembering

the weather
yes
the weather

I told my friend
it is breezy
sunny
and 20 degree

On this island seems so far from home
at least
there is the blue sky here
one thing very similar

(Actually, I heard there is no sky at home at the moment...)

This cool cool story

aloon... 說:my fren told me she parked motorbike outside qin han's house and blocked his car, so he came out and asked her to shift it, she just cool cool and moved the bike...can u imagine? just cool cool moved the bike?qin han?i dont think i can do thataloon... 說:i must at least take a deep breath aloon... 說:and may even be in tears aloon... 說:just thinking of my youth in front of that man...

what do you think?
do you think i came all the way here
to hear this cool cool story?
perhaps...

Can I?

When the journey begins
destination is never a promise

"Can I?" asked I

hesitation insisted
"Let's travel!"

bring along your long lost youth
bring along your heartbeat and smile

Ask
"Can I?"

But
do it

just forget reaching
remember
to breath