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Cicas
| Open Poetry #30 |
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Cicas |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA 
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This poem needs some background to make sense -- cica (pronouced cheechak) is an Indonesian word for a lizard about the size of the North American chameleon, give or take. "Malam" means nightime. "Jalan" means street. "Anak-anak" means children, and "pembantu" means basically, the hired help we had overseas(which I wish we could afford here). The (2) after an Indonesian word is how plural is formed. A's are pronounced with an "ah" sound in all of these words. We had no car while we lived there. With that background, Malam drifts in and amplifies the sounds on the jalan and orchestrates a lullaby. Cica(2)sing along. Anak-anak are sleeping and pembantu(2) have reclined. My solace now alone I take And listen to the cica(2) play. Perhaps their clickly-claky sounds are kisses blown to mates. Perhaps, their funny music is mosquito's poison bate. Not knowing if either case is true, I listen anyway, and ponder how alike we are as below I will elaborate. When the day is new again and sun shines on my walls, I watch the cica scurry out and hang sideways with their claws. I watch their fear of people and watch their shy retreat, then watch them hurry out again for mosquito food to eat. During day, I cling to my abode and sometimes climb the walls! Then find we're out of groceries, and hurry to the mall. I fear the unfamiliar faces and shy away from crowds. But when my family's home at night, then my cica sounds abound. It's then, like them, I blow my kisses and spray perfume for my bate and make my clicky-claking sounds to entice or tease my mate. I am alike the cica, observing from afar and taking cabs is prison Wish we had a car. Iliana [This message has been edited by iliana (12-20-2003 04:37 AM).] |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
An interesting little tale. And nice to hear some "new" words. You are reminding me of the geckos, not to mention the chameleons, that shared the place where I lived in Honolulu. ("is mosquito's poison bate" & "and spray perfume for my bate" I think you mean "bait". [This message has been edited by Krawdad (12-20-2003 01:43 AM).] |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
iliana, The little cicas have so much character! I absolutely am crazy about this poem. It has such beautiful language and a gently rhythmic flow. I hope more people stop to comment because it is certainly worth the time to translate the vocabulary. Excellent writing here! Also, the analogy of being a shy little stranger in an environment (or country) was thought provoking. Sadelite |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Krawdad -- yes, gekos would be similar creatures and do make very similar sounds. Thanks for your post. BEEEEEEEwell. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Sadie -- thanks for the post. I thought you would like it being you know a little history. Love ya. [This message has been edited by iliana (12-20-2003 01:49 AM).] |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
iliana, Thanks for your response about Robert, Guitar Maker, Music Maker. I have completely revised it. Do you like it better? I wonder, do you every miss your little cicas? Sadelite |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Sadie -- surely I do..... along with the sounds of the jalan at night -- rendu jalan dekat rumah banyak; rendu waktu banyak. (I miss the street near our home very much; I miss that time.) But I'm still fine. |
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