In the Rain City

I come to my hometown

it is noisy and crowded now

it blocks movement

It is raining hard, almost every afternoon

as if watering the plantation

in the Botanical Garden

which has a variety of the flora

It reminds me of when I was a teenager

hanging out there with my friend

Now you are lying weakly

lacking strength

I am coming to you

hoping to find you well and cheerful.

Lily Multatuliana (Indonesia)

Translation by Stanley Barkan in cooperation with the author

Bogor, Indonesia 2023