After Accompanying the Body

is there anything left for you to ask
in regards to this? The rain stops
as a world of never ending conversation is buried
beneath aging flowers, august days

going home with a closed umbrella in hand
children return to play on the road
as if in a dream horses whinny in the distant hills
perhaps we not grow old in question

is there? How majestic is the sky
how majestic the portal that will welcome us
all, save memories
of a cave suddenly falling silent

Rain Falls along the Road

rain falls along the road
a drizzle as the season slowly rustles
returning to silence once more
we gaze: the trees outside are wet again

no one turns hid back. And suddenly we comprehend
the secret message
when the wind is moist and free of dust
when there is no need for haste

-- By Sapardi Djoko Damono

-- Translated by John H. McGlynn

(From: Suddenly the Night, A Lontar publication)