Evening awaits
Trippers who miss home. Hurry.
Go home happily.
——
good evening, commuters — go home happily 💕
never bored with this angle; whatever weather, whatever colour — i love to be home 💕
Home
Category: Poetic
Sweetness of Heart
My life is sugar cane
That I chew in summer day
Before singing.
My life is honeycomb
That I suck in rainy day
Before whistling.
My life is a bowl of ice cream
That I dig in on a quiet day
Before humming.
My life is sweetness of heart
That I choose
Before resting.
——
i wish to be back someday to enjoy it in summer 💕
Flow
About water
That flows
Then named river
About water
Then named river
That flows
——
♥️
Trace of Power
Power that is left
Tells outer layers of truth
That might not be true.
——
And it doesn’t matter as truth might have millions of layers depending on number of thoughts dissecting their stories.
Life is unlimited.
💕
Okayama Castle – front view
Okayama Castle – back view
super fragrant flower in Karokuen Garden
Drink with Friends
Hold your own beer,
I’m busy with my tea.
Enjoy your brewed fruits,
I’m busy with my brewed leaves.
Toast!
For long friendship
With so much drink
Without getting drunk.
——
the chairs are beer barrels, tables are a wooden board on top of piling beer crates, food are mostly beef, beverages are all things
oolong tea for me, beer for Asahi-san, peach tea for Yakisoba-san yesterday night
we told him he still had to help us with errand bags so he’d be better not to get drunk 😂
Tokumori Shrine after work today
Green and Greener
It’s green grass back home,
Her grass looks greener, sweeter
Though. Is it the sun?
——
There is a proverb in Indonesian “rumput tetangga selalu kelihatan lebih hijau“ that literally means neighbours’ grass always looks greener. And yes, that’s always what I feel in many countries outside Indonesia and Singapore yet at the same time I miss to be home in either Indonesia or Singapore where sun is both indulging and heating.
I am truly “green-eyed” some time. And I so much miss home.
🧑🎤
dancing orange
orange in joy
yellow having a chat
it’s just sweet!
inspiration for the garden right in front of my bedroom; right size to copy — thank you!
Love Is Not Leaving
Love is not leaving.
Kernel then seedling then tree;
Stays yet multiplies—
——
After some journey and some work finally dinner was here now and it was an unforgettable one.
This long dragged day is nothing compared to today’s dinner. A dinner accompanied by a poem.
Yes my life is full of flower.
Thanks for the blessings!
Salaam.
♥️
sure it is about flowers — thanks much! i feel a tiny love bouncing and getting bigger and bigger in my heart when eating
they put it under my green tea; what a sweet creativity this restaurant demonstrates — will never forget this!
Nodding Orchids
Those nodding orchids
Complying with breeze flow hum,
Dance then fly away.
——
life is just like that ♥️
found the ID: Brassavola Great Egret
the other one finally bloomed yesterday, both dancing together since then
the slowest to bloom among the gang yet the most gracefully dancing
Today
Celebrate today
‘Coz there won’t be tomorrow
Everyday’s today.
——
Weekend is packing and doing household chores while enjoying rhythm of the rain.
♥️
some for today with grapes before going out after my success with laundry and this lovely jadah
voila! i will bring some for my next week biz trip ♥️ we call it JADAH or TETEL or ULI
steam for about 30 min, 45 min max if softer texture is preferred — while it is hot, pound it slowly until it becomes cake
add grated coconut
up to this consistency
boil it with coconut milk added, salt is optional based on taste preferred
glutinous rice soaked in water for at least 30 min
Mathematically In Love
This love is a math
With numbers operated
For an x to solve
——
The x is always the most stubborn to solve. Or, just not even wanting to solve 😊
Summer Is Calling
Summer is calling
With tint pallet of the east.
Bright. Fascinating.
——
colours
Dress Up
Dress up,
Beloved
Even when you work remotely.
Dress up,
Beloved
Even when you’re alone in the cubicle.
Dress up,
Beloved
Even among the crowd; wave your hands with genuine smiles.
Dress up,
Beloved
Even if your style’s outlandish; be busy with how your story can go.
There’s sun spotting your colours.
There’s wind kissing your scent.
There’s moon drawing your silhouette.
There’re stars showering you with breathing confetti.
——
all my path is catwalk on which i walk presenting a designer’s masterpiece — no excuse of low performance, any chance to walk is to display the best of my designer’s pride
my style is work of art that might be differently interpreted and appreciated — it doesn’t matter, people see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear although they can’t lie to themselves
i love my style more and more everyday
♥️
Happy Together
Walking the aisle
Two smiling earthlings can’t stop waving hands
To us
Who wonder
“They were toddlers we hugged,
Now they read solemn vow?”
It is a happy day
When we pray, laugh and eat together
Witnessing happiness that proceeds.
——
Matt, my best friend’s youngest son is getting married today! Matt and Cheer, Tante Rike happy for you 😘😘😘 send me all our pictures ♥️
cheering with groom’s mama after eating 😂 day is good with those looking forward to bright days ♥️
The Poem
My poem for you
Is not in the words.
My poem for you
Sits on the bed of this heart.
The words that you recite
Is what language can say
About what is still,
Admiring you from a secret place
That keeps everything
And keeps flowing.
——
some poem is better utterred on canvas
a small play for a toilet at home; an intermezzo to take a break from the gift painting in progress
Love ‘Coz It’s Time
There’s a crook
I can’t understand.
It is when I saw
You in silence
And said in heart
“I find no reason in
You for me to love but
What is this emotion?”
There’s another
I can understand.
It is when I felt
A warm summer
And said in heart
“There’s enough reason to love
You in silence
That forever blooms.”
No reason is needed to love
For love is blind.
Yet there’s reason to keep the love
For love is the only kind.
It’s time
When it’s time.
——
my orchids after one week left home alone
welcome! my orchids have taught me that flowers bloom when it’s time; not to be seen, not to be picked, not to be admired; they’re blooming simply to bloom — there’s only one reason to understand: it’s time
what is her ID? unknown and still beautifully blooming
with a line of my white shirts hanging as the background, this oncidium is gonna be yellow
another stem of oncidium waiting for its timing to greet me with yellow
dendrobium peeps again — thank you
dendrobium from the same cluster in the same pot that keeps greeting me with health and happiness
Dear Omiyage
You’re my best omiyage
From wherever Nihon
I visit.
You’re my desperate love songs
I sing
From wherever corner of the world
I sit.
You’re my sweet mystery
That I can never solve.
Why
Oh why,
Dear
Omiyage?
I present
You to only
Those that I love.
Wrapped in white
Ribboned in red
Wished in indigo
Dear
Omiyage
——
Japanese omiyage is the same tradition of Javanese oleh-oleh in which local souvenirs are brought for others after traveling to a specific place or simply when visiting. So it is not just random souvenirs, omiyage or oleh-oleh is a token of experience sharing and caring friendship from someone to someone else.
A sweet gesture that will be perfect when done with sincerity and mindfulness—
Salaam.
Niigata rice, the best omiyage for good friends this time — humble ladies, see you tomorrow 🙏🏼
About omiyage
Blue on Green
Look! It’s blue on green
Burning spirit to trueness
Of living simple.
——
I love the rice field sprawling along the train track in Japan. It brings feel of peace at the same time reminding me that there are still those who are willing to live as farmers even (according to my Japanese friends) with not so high income.
God bless farmers without whom we won’t live.
Salaam.
irrigation that travels like blood in body
the clouds that travel by the wind like dream in mind
Transit
Life’s a swift transit
Where tripper’s redirected
To where home resides.
——
before going home i made myself a rush to visit this three-tier turret of Takada Castle
behind the pink
behind the white
behind the purple
and right in front of it
I See You
I see you, beauty
When I walk or sit or rest.
You’re sheer, true yet mute.
——
beauty is everywhere, dancing in silence 💕
Summer
It’s ever summer
When smile is sweet, words are true.
Then sun is joining.
——
thanks, Jasmine-san for bringing me to this place!
summer
pottery is never too cute
it is free opener; two for one diner
my 1st nato in life which was ummm…. and sticky yam or something which was amazing
one of my colleagues who is loving Japanese food will be so happy to finally see me eat sashimi without throwing up 😂
i love tempura and this is one of the best one i’ve ever had!!! and much cheaper than the ones in Singapore ☺️
yesss!!! Joetsu rice is the best and so is the sushi! 💕
sushi, sushi, sushi!
this fish cake that i’ll never be able to recook! perfect!
Blessed Belly
This blessed belly sings
And dances then soon to sleep
With a dream waiting.
——
i politely rejected an invite of dinner so i could eat alone in an izakaya – 😍 having dinner at the window while seeing people passing by bringing joy or anger after work or school brought me to a corner called “thanks god i’m alive”
💕 izakaya with a glass of green tea, carrot juice, and….
potato salad!
edamame obviously
chicken 🫣 oil oil oil!
most of Javanese love this fish! incl me! 💕😍♥️
pickled cucumber
chicken skin and gizzards! i can be joyful just with this cheap food! 😍 but i want the best sushi in town tomorrow! 😁
On A Green Mountain
On a green mountain
She stands, claps and bows to pray
For what’s been wished for.
——
Day was clear, no June rain welcomed me. Black birds were cawing but not noisy when I arrived, the caws sounded more like “this woman is not important and harmless, let her do what she wants to do. Leave her alone.”
The scent of just mown grass infused stronger freshness to the hanging air and sprinkled refreshing vibe to the scenery.
A lady in the shrine shop greeted me excitedly in Japanese which made me feel like attending an oral communication test with a desperate teacher thinking “fail, fail, fail”. Yet her beautiful smile cajoled me to take one ema (wooden plaque in shrine to write wishes and prayer) to write what I wish to wish forever for me and everyone.
About ema
The most impressive that day were the taxi drivers who drove me to the shrine and back to the hotel— both were willing to find the most basic vocabulary and grammar to make me feel good to practice my pre-basic Japanese; two grandfathers who accompanied a confused granddaughter blabbering Japanese gibberish.
Yet the shrine itself was the cherry on top of the cake that day. Shrine and castle never fail me!
Thank you, Kasugayama Mountain for welcoming me and letting me enjoy the shrine and its surrounding.
Thank you for letting this heart throb seeing what can grow in silence and for letting this soul sit still observing what can leave with no trail.
I am lucky. Always.
💕
going in to the Kasugayama Shrine compound
my friend asked me in Instagram “how many steps?” i said to her “i didn’t count, i will next time” but in my heart “one third of my breath” 😀
torii at the front gate of Kasugayama Shrine
ablution station before stepping to the shrine inner area to pray
i wish prosperity and blessings for my company ♥️♥️♥️
ema: after almost 50 years living, i can only wish the loudest possible in my heart “May All Beings Be HAPPY. All my dreams come true. ♥️”
prayers are hanging everywhere, tied anywhere — people want their wishes come true; as simple as that
if people don’t believe in the power beyond powers, why do they want to pray? to boost confidence? formality? culture? i’m sure they do it because they’re sure it is there whatever people call it beyond what’s taught in religions — i pray as others do
do you know the guy standing on the hill? Uesugi Kenshin — respected daimyo in his era
About Uesugi Kenshin
there is Kasugayama Castle ruin on top of the Kasugayama mountain — i didn’t go though, maybe next time
Ride The Life, Don’t Fly
I used to fly the life
Faster and quieter,
Passing by blue sky,
White clouds over the lands and oceans.
Yet now I ride mine
Slower and merrier,
Passing greenery and buildings.
I heard others chat and laugh;
I am not curious about the convo
But I enjoy the laughter.
I will arrive slightly later
But happier,
Friendlier,
And luckier.
——
riding Shinkansen is more exciting than flying, I used to fly from one city to another in Japan but not anymore although recommended for some areas — always get new things in each ride! 💝
i feel lucky always and today i see same combinations of numbers appeared repeatedly that has made me feel even luckier — although i don’t know, i prefer to believe that it is a good sign before i forget it 😄
Hakutaka 555 departed at 844
sometimes i am superstitious 😁
yet i thank him for making some of my superstition sound scientific 😁
Just Believe
Do you believe sun will rise in the east?
I don’t need to believe because I know it does.
Do you believe your mother will love you unconditionally?
I believe it? I know she does.
Do you believe love will guarantee your happiness?
I do believe it will.
Why?
I do believe because I don’t know.
——
i know Doraemon has a magical pouch from which he pulls all what he needs to either solve problems or to entertain Nobita — i believe he will give Nobita lessons learnt to wise up including giving him rather dangerous disaster, yet i know it is just a story
i believe i need to replace my Doraemon bag with one cuter one as i know someone would love to use this Doraemon bag for her weekend hangout 😀
In Some Frames
In some frames she sees
Joy and fun. Simple actions:
Plain humanity
——
one of our young friends in Indonesia is having birthday soon and she wants wishes from overseas as present so i was requested to take picture here and later when i arrive in my destination saying “Happy Birthday …. from ….” 🥰
why bookmarks are cute? 🫣 a young friend used to bring me bookmarks whenever meeting me until she realised that i use random paper to mark my reading 😅 and i mostly forget where i insert my bookmarks so i just lose most of them 🙏🏼 sorry
many said waiting is the most boring activity — not if we know that it is for something worthy 💝 or at least seeing many airport officers do their jobs make me realise everyone matters in life
please put the trolley back after use to the trolley station, this simple act (of either you call it kindness or self discipline) helps them a lot 💝 don’t forget to give them smile 😊
Surrender
With no white towel
I surrender
To the realm that hugs this heart.
I am water flowing
With no effort
To the ocean that waits for this mind.
How would this name
Say no to a call that sings love songs?
I submit everything
With a smile
And grace.
Body, mind, spirit and soul—
-
Jun 10, 2023
when the air taps my whole reality
with everything subtle and overwhelming
——
please excuse my strong arms 😀
after the Tapa Brata my classmates and I are still escorted to meditate everyday of 60 minutes for 90 days
it should be 36th day today but i only have 33 days in which i am able to do full meditation — in fact my doctor was quite surprised that unbelievable progress is indicated in better numbers from the laboratory test result after i meditate regularly — happy tears 🥹
my health is much better with calmness that is on track and harmonious thought that builds gradually
i’ve registered to next level Tapa Brata next Sep so i can get more benefits to help certain issues in this beloved aging body and to strengthen my mind
can’t wait to meet with the wise teachers who guide us and humble caretakers who help us with daily needs in Forest Island 🥰
i don’t know for sure what i can share from my achievement through meditation yet maybe someday i can help others reduce health complaints at low cost — i’ve always wanted to cure diseases with fragrance and herbs; my high intelligent friends said “pseudoscience, a crap wrapped in fancy paper”, i said “it doesn’t matter at least i can help them feel calmer and think positive”
all what happen in my life are like magic both the unexpected and expected — i hope my meditation brings more good magical celebrations to me and my beloved family and friends
and all…
May All Beings Be Happy
💕
Lightning
Lightning is so quick
Striking sight with its brightness
Before earth goes silent.
——
Love is sometimes a sight that attracts the eyes, strikes in less than one minute, blinds the eyes for some longer time before gradually clears the mind again. Gradually yet surely 💝 with intensifying silence and lack of reciprocity. Life will be back to its true beauty.
May all beings be happy.
in this case a writer is either a loyalist or a stupid! both not equivalent with the brilliance in his/her writings 😂
Romantic
What’s romance, my love?
Is roses stay in the branch
With no disturbance.
They’re unpicked until falling
Gracefully kissing the earth.
——
Yogyakarta is one of the most romantic cities on earth, where life is automatically slowing down and love can be felt sweeter, simpler and longer; my friends said “the most romantic or the cheapest?” i said cheerfully “i love cheap things that make me happy including cheap friends, people with high maintenance cost please go away” 😄
one serene night in Stasiun Tugu
Scent of Flowing Air
No scent is missed,
No inhaled air is empty.
The scent is a box of coloured mist
To bring in imagery.
These nostrils celebrate days
Through haling the loaded air
And propelling power through stories,
Millions of stories shared.
——
can’t leave without scent, good or bad
and its evolving fragrance, softened before dried
sadly this leaf was not so nicely scented 🙏🏼 thrown away
batik has a good scent as it is washed with lerak (soap berry)
frangipani, a flower that is popular as graveyard flower in Java island ♥️ sweet fragrance of the death
i miss the scent of the thin air by the rice field under the blue sky 💝
Pearls in A Strand of Friendship
How’s life, dear pearls of friendship?
Your shadow flashed in the tips of these eyes
All of a sudden.
I wish you all good heart
That shines
Through the orbits
Of all friendly comets
That travel the universe
Bringing verses
About love and friendship
That last forever
With the expanding universe.
You are truly loved
And missed….
——
Brisbane 2017 with Mbak Wien, my friend back in uni the only person able to make me sit in a club for almost 5 hours in a riverbank of a Brisbane river (not sure what river it was though), yet she was not successful to make me drink but jugs of orange juice
a loving daughter and sister, a wife of a kind man, a mother of 2 brilliant boys, a rather crazy friend
when will i see you again? maybe some day when i’m back to down under
God bless you 💝 and all my dear friends 💝
rike jokanan 
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