Cica(2) (A Repost with edits)

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iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

0 posted 2005-10-01 03:00 AM

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. “Toko” means store. 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(2) 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,
Cab it to toko(2) (mall).
I fear the unfamiliar faces
and shy away from crowds.
But when my family's home at night,
My own cica sounds abound.

It's then, like them, I blow my kisses,
spray sweet perfume to trap my bate.
I make my clicky-claking sounds
to entice or tease my mate.

I am alike the cica,
observing from afar.
Taking cabs is prison
Wish we had a car.

[This message has been edited by iliana (10-01-2005 03:42 AM).]

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

1 posted 2005-10-01 03:33 AM

Well lookee here! Finally we get to see our friend iliana!

Jo this was a very pleasant surprise! I am so pleased to be abloe to look at a photo of you while reading your poetry! This brings you so much closer to us!

I was captivated by your poem and enjoyed you sharing the time that you lived in Indonesia with your readers! I also enjoyed learning a few words!

Loveya!
Linda

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

2 posted 2005-10-01 09:41 AM

Hello Jo, I love the picture too!

And your poem took me into a mysterious Malam full of enthralling sounds ...

You did a beautiful job here!

Love and hugs.
Margherita

kayjay
Member Elite

since 2002-06-24

Posts 2015
Oregon

3 posted 2005-10-01 10:16 AM

What a beautiful setting and story! Your explanation of the words and how to make a plural is hysterical. I can just see something like
The cloud(2) roll by
Peppered by sun's ray(2)
When person(2) see sky
At break of day.

This was a pleasure to read; Jo, I really liked the bridging between the cica's life and yours. Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2005-10-01 12:22 PM

Agreeing with the others, Jo.....It's a real pleasure to see your smiling face. Your poem held my attention, and knowing what the strange words meant really helped. Thank you for this piece of your life, explained in poetry.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

5 posted 2005-10-01 02:09 PM

loved this write, Jo, and
would have to agree about the cab-captive scene, even in this country, it's no fun when you must trust someone else behind the wheel. In Denver, I often found my foot hitting the brake...from the back seat. LOL

That photo! what a lovely lady you are!
But then, we already knew that are a naturally beautiful person.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

6 posted 2005-10-01 02:15 PM

Hey Jo!
It's SOOOO good to be able to see you...

and what an interesting piece this is!
A keeper for sure.
Hugs~Nancy

~Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.~

Bodger
Senior Member

since 2005-06-12

Posts 1260
Tolerance for a short time

7 posted 2005-10-01 04:05 PM

You've really taken me back

We called them Chit Chats

And an Amah seems to come back to me

Very good words

Bodger

Angelheart
Senior Member

since 2005-09-08

Posts 754
Jacksonville,FL USA

8 posted 2005-10-01 04:12 PM

This is such a delight to read, thanks for sharing this.

Poetry can get you very far
-Laura

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

9 posted 2005-10-01 06:10 PM

Jo~
What a wonderful poetry lesson you've given me~

I also adore your photo ... thanks for both !

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*No matter what I search for ...
let me know when it is LOVE that I find*~ <))><

Email - noles1@totcon.com

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

10 posted 2005-10-02 03:56 PM

Glad you all liked the poem. It was fun to write this with two languages...lol...tho' I didn't use but a few words of Bahasa Indonesia. Thank you all so much for your kind posts.

.....jo

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