BEFORE THE CEREMONY ENDS by : Isbedy Stiawan Z. S.

YOU leave before

the ceremony ends, leaving

the circumcision flesh

to dry

i’ve been watching you

drink a toast. wink

at the girls, then slip away

to a quiet place

You circle the town

on a motorised becak like a king

imagining a pool

that will soon be ready

and will swim towards your body

to the distant islands

to an unknown port to smoky quite corners

you swim,

swimming towards unfettered time: - are you a poet? –

SORCERER. woman

in your mantra:

- your clutches? –

You are in her thrall, for sure!

Medan May 2007, Lampung June 2007

=ISBEDY STIAWAN Z. S.=