Flood of Blood

a flood of blood
when dusk is approaching
its smell spreads
from bud to bud
never blooming into a flower
then someone shouts
"there is a massacre
a massacre"
time is held tightly in his hands

a flood of blood
when dusk is here
its smell, quite common and friendly
a charming companion already
from afar someone shouts
"there is a massacre
a massacre"
in his hands a knife is gleaming, looking for revenge
whose neck is next?

(1988)

-- Lie Hua

To a Friend

the face looks familiar
the voice intimate
I believe we were friends once
long ago when days were in the embrace of the sun
now we cut each other dead
like strangers
perhaps you still recognize my face
in your ears my voice still reverberates
but now we cut each other dead
after a long separation
each of us only hugs solitude
you forget, eh?
me too, nearly
we share the same loneliness, don't we?
a loneliness that defies time
only we barely realize
it flows and flows in our blood

(1988)

-- Lie Hua

Longing

at times my longing
-- I know not whence --
gnaws at me
shadows of the sun disappear
behind the roses
do I long for them?
flowers that grow
unattended
then time greets me, smiling kindly
but I am lost for words
lost them in my deep longing
only silence is left
I hope I can make myself understood
at the door my silence talks
it knows no longing

(1988)

-- Lie Hua

Storm Raiders

We have traveled this far 'cause we believe in change We have planted seeds of democracy 'cause our fathers believe in people We have shed blood and tears for our love of this nation

Thunder and hail become meals on our plates

Wrinkles of worries and suffering are sources of income for surgeons and beauticians

Confusion of seasons is tolerable

Nowadays, Wet and dry seasons are like twins

As soon as sunshine tries breaking through, a handful of clouds will soldier on to cover it

Our bodies are full of bruises from violent storms and harsh wind

Fortunately, our hearts are not tattooed by despair

We are still standing here, chasing our dream of becoming one whole nation once again

Sometimes, we need storms to chase away the clouds

-- Permata Hamid

The Mystery of Faith

Yesterday, it was like this
Now, it's like that
A belief
Or faith perhaps

Twist it if you dare
So it remains solid
Or resists
Like a boomerang

Don't try this at home, folks
Their home

-- Daniel Tambunan