i don't want to remember
my house
the temple in the front garden
the daily call to prayer
chitter chattering outside the fence
the warung lady
the vrooming bikes
the sacred cows
meandering through the rubbish
the dark supermarkets layered with dust
fragrant with poverty
coconut oil
sizzling chickens
kerosene lamps
men in turbans playing backgammon
crosslegged on the dirt
decorated gods everywhere
floral offerings
stone ornate walls
narrow lane ways
life
teeming with life
all day
all night
if i remember
i will return
to you
wanting to get away..so true! feel every word here
ReplyDeleteHa! Now this spoke to me. I've traveled some in Asia and sometimes I've hated it, but when I remember it, I am filled with such longing. It sounds like your experience of it is profound. Much enjoyed this poem and this take on the prompt. Thanks. k.
ReplyDeletereally nice close on this....i was wondering why you would not want to remember those things...and the last lines...def made it all clear...
ReplyDeleteheh. i will tell the arrest story...its funny...later this week...
Oh, that is a lot to say goodbye to, especially the sounds and smells...I take it you loved the place in spite of the poverty and teeming life and culture...wow!
ReplyDeleteThis confuses me a bit. It sounds like longing, yet for some reason the person got away, fled poverty, etc.... but yet has to block something they love so they won't go back - they've worked so hard to get away? ...
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand not wanting to remember some things. Sometimes that is for the best!
ReplyDeleteSome things are associated with some people we would rather not remember at all ~ Nice twist at the end ~
ReplyDeletefragrant with poverty...
ReplyDelete...love that phrase. Vivid memories indeed.
I also admire that phrase - it encapsulates so well ~
ReplyDeleteWow, I could feel the push pull of emotions in this piece.
ReplyDeleteNooooo .... never go back! Think what happened to Lot's wife. And remember your reasons for leaving.
ReplyDeleteRight do not turn to salt!
ReplyDeleteBe Free, Be happy! Erase the past.
Thank you to all for your comments and good advice:)
ReplyDeletelovely work, very vivid images. this is what a 3rd world city is like, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteYes and it's the only place where I feel really alive!
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