Kemerdekaan Yang Sepi

Hari ini hampir di tiap RT dan kelurahan
masyarakat merayakan kemerdekaan Indonesia
sebagai sebuah negara kesatuan yang berdaulat

Hingar bingar
warna warni
gegap gempita
manusia berbaris, berkerumun, bergerombol,
berdecak, bernyanyi, bertepuk
sorak sorai membahana
pesta rakyat

tapi tidak di sini
sunyi, sepi, tenang
seperti hari biasa yang tidak istimewa
tak terlihat pesta, tak terlihat suka cita
semua tenang
santri tetap pergi mengaji
jalan desa berbatu nan terjal tetap sepi
pohon-pohon tak berhias
dalam nuansa nyaman, teduh dan bersahaja
sampai senja datang

malam menjelang
sepi semakin senyap
cahaya temaram mulai terlihat hanya dari beberapa rumah
kegelapan menjadi bagian dari kehidupan

pintu rumah tak terkunci
jendela tetap terbuka
tak ada yang dikhawatirkan
semua merasa bersaudara
semua merasa aman

suara jangkrik semakin keras terdengar
mengakhiri hari yang dianggap sakral
kemerdekaan hadir disini dalam nuansa yang berbeda

kemerdekaan dari aliran listrik
kemerdekaan dari materialisme
tanpa TV, radio, kulkas, apalagi motor dan mobil
kesederhanaan yang mendamaikan

Dirgahayu RI yang ke 61
Kaligintung, Bumiayu

Elka's stories

Elka called me this morning at 04.30 Jakarta's time from Melbourne. He was so happy. He told me that one of the plants in our flat is flowering. The flower is purple with yellow color inside. He said that the second plant is going to flower too. Elka promised me to write everything about the flower and will show the story to his class teacher, Sue.

Elka told me that he made a redbean float with a watermelon and an eaten umbrella (hm yumm..). He got the recipe from Sue. He would like me to try his redbean later when I back home.

He also said that he always brushes his teeth every morning and night, and he takes care of Farhan too. What a nice stories...

Few days ago, on the phone I promised Elka that I will try to shorten my work in Indonesia and go back as soon as I can. In the morning, he did not ask me to come home faster, but I promised my self to try to work harder so I can go home to be with Elka, Farhan, and Amir. I love you guys...

Jakarta