That Day

We were still waiting when the wind carried in the murmur of the waves; we imagined open coral blossoms welcoming the tips of the waves whose spray obscured the horizon.

"He's still not here," you said; and the sound resounded off the wall to fade in the cold.

When we heard footsteps outside we were still hopeful; we imagined that the harbinger had succeeded in crossing the ocean and would soon announce our release.

But time always passes so quickly before the first word echoes, who knows what can diminish the cold that has almost crystallized in our veins.

-- Sapardi Djoko Damono

Translated by John H. McGlynn

(Taken from Suddenly the Night by courtesy of the Lontar Foundation)