"I Hate You"

“I Hate You”

Whenever Opa Johan kissed his wife he always asked: “What does it mean?”

“I hate you.”

Isn’t she sweet?

December 2009

They Were Descended From Heaven

They Were Descended From Heaven

“How lovely they are. I wish the ex owners to know how wrong they were to get rid of Hansel und Gretel and left them somewhere neglected, almost starving on the road. They were descended from heaven and Gretel has now returned.”

So said si Upik sadly, though she couldn’t read nor write poetry.

November 2009

The Choir Conductor's Objection To Sing

The Choir Conductor’s Objection To Sing

Suppose God asked me a favor: “Sing me one song in a special service as that in the Paulus church.” Then I’d say that I wouldn’t, if it were just for one little song of two minutes as I think of sacrificing my, my members’ time, starting from home 8.00 a.m –2.00 p.m. back home, to provide transportation for my members, to see, to examine, to try the organ, whether it could suit our performance.

I would rather say: “Dear God, ask me for more, for better. We have about thirteen songs ready, we would gladly sing all of them, not just one, though having to sacrifice such a lot or even more. Except we’re not well prepaired. Then would I object Your offer though You would punish me. I don’t care about the service and ceremony. I just enjoy singing with my choir if that is allowed.”

So told the Choir Conductor me.

November 2009

Opa Johan Reproached His Wife

Opa Johan Reproached His Wife

“Why don’t you eat with me together, you little donkey? What’s enjoying my food alone. It makes the nicest food not nice. Do you know that?”

And I remember the vagrant eating with his lover the simplest food on the same banana leaf with their fingers, drinking out of the same used aqua bottle on the ground, in some half hidden corner beneath a tree. How sweet.

November 2009

What's The Use Of Having A Wife?

What’s The Use Of Having A Wife?

“Just peel your mango yourself. Learn and don’t be so lazy.”

“Well, What’s the use, profit of having a wife then?” So said opa Johan.

November 2009

Opa Johan's Complaint To His Wife

Opa Johan’s Complaint To His Wife

“Why are you always so near, so close and touch me, stay away, you little fool,” as Opa Johan neared his wife teasing and tickled her side.

November 2009

Feign To Be An Old Couple

Feign To Be An Old Couple

They thought we’re old and needed help, They were friendly and we were helped before the others in the Immigration office. You’re just 76 and I 79. Don’t you feel yourself as young as ever? I could still bicycle some 50 Km. Next time on another occasion we would feign to be an old couple with my grey hair and you walk with a limp. Ha, ha. What do you say? So said Opa Johan to his wife.

November 2009

Nothing Whatever Could Me Make Obedient Save Willingly

Nothing Whatever Could Make Me Obedient Save Willingly

There’s no marriage oath, no faith, no God, no law, no rule could ever make me (man) obedient, could ever force, prohibit, block, bar me, save willingly. So said Pak Arif.

November 2009

To Share My Suffering

To Share My Suffering

I’ll take you along with me to the Choir Festival, especially you, to share my suffering, annoyance, boring, vexation for hours. Am I not a good husband to remember you? So Opa Johan teased his wife.

November 2009