Tag: haiku

Green is what is fresh,
What is starting peacefully.
It is envy, too.

—-

What is greener than our neighbours’ grass? The sea that bears secret of love and avocado that bears secret of health.

Have a green weekend!

💚

today’s lunch 💚 egg with peas in coconut milk, avocado and navel orange juice

Best Not, Better Be

What’s best is not best.
Better is, leaving a space
For the next better.

—-

I am never craving for best for me. Only doing my best to be better and to deserve whatever makes me better and/or see opportunity to do better.

Yet best seller book is the best for today. And one previously best seller for my best friend—-

Salaam.

💝

bestseller shelf — not my normal shelf but it was today

old book i did read at uni and want to check some details and so re-read 😎

curious what’s inside 😍

seems promising for a discussion in a reading club

for my best friend who watched the movie but not read the novel yet

Cuts and Bruises

Learning, life, love, Poetic, This Person

All cuts and bruises
Paint a life of a blossom
Before it decays.

—

i was so young and innocent, a loved friend of many, a hated enemy of some — i was so much blessed 💝

life has brought me travel through labyrinth of life with traps and turns that cut and torture yet i am still a loved friend of many, a hated enemy of some — i am still so much blessed with cuts and bruises 💝 i’ve lost much but i find myself

no one shall erase this happy girl within — a blessed soul that travels through space and time 🙏🏼 thank you

Time Flies

Time flies on a plane, 
Moves backwards leaving a home
To meet whom are missed.

—-

Time to visit mother. Although I visit her every three months, a visit on Eid Mubarak is always the most special. It is when my brothers and sisters meet me and most of extended family members gather in our annual reunion.

It is exciting to have a full day chatting, laughing, remembering good memories, eating specialties cooked by the host, joking around and of course praying for our happiness and joy so we all can meet again the following year.

Thank you for another year.

💝

pink orchid in Changi Airport before my flight

pink orchid left home — not merrier but fresher than the Changi’s 🥰

yellowish white orchid left at home

it is gonna be broken white with purple — they are always happy although left home 😁

i guess it is gonna be yellow — they are always happy although left home 😁

Colours

Learning, Map It!

Light is reflected,
Brings various sensations.
Bright colour spectrum—

—-

I bought rangrang woven fabric for bedspreads, table clothes and other home decoration as alternative of vibe in my humble abode other than linen, Merauke ikat and batik series.

It is always exciting to decorate home. I think this is where a home owner should be wiser as the temptation to beautify a home feels more desperate compared to owning branded things. Dead serious!

Rangrang woven fabric was once fabric for religious ceremonies, yet now it has become a cultural commodity that are liked by many.

Anyway, rangrang woven fabric offer unique colourful art. It is called “rangrang” because there are “rangrang” (tiny holes/gaps) among the woven thread. Rangrang woven fabric is allegedly a symbol of transparency. Yet technically the gaps or holes among the woven threads are because of fewer number of threads used in some lines.

This fabric also has sufficient thickness that it won’t be too flimsy to spread on the beds yet won’t be too heavy for curtains.

The dominant colours on rangrang woven fabric are brighter spectrum of red, yellow, purple, blue, green. Love them all!

The most common patterns of rangrang woven fabric are basic geometry such as curves (commonly called bianglala/rainbow patter), triangles, squares.

square

triangles

some curves (bianglala/rainbow)

rangrang = holes among the weaved threads

Rangrang used to be a prima donna back then in 2010’s that made it as expensive as hundreds of USD per piece, while now I could buy it for USD50 per piece.

This woven fabric should be conserved as fewer and fewer weavers are productively making it, most of them are older women whose children don’t have the same passion to produce this beautiful art work. One of the conservation effort might be for ordinary people to buy this fabric.

I am happy that I found 4 more sheets of rangrang woven fabric are needed. There is a reason to go shopping either in the market or directly to the weavers.

💝😁

rangrang = holes among the weaved threads

About rangrang woven fabric

Maleman

Learning, life, Poetic

Breathing the same air
Under the same sun and moon,
All pray for good days.

—

Sharing is not only about self satisfaction and social support, it is also about gauging how much I dare to let go of what heavy and significant. Trust me giving will not make you poor.

This monthly food sharing is about Ramadhan odd night and night of revelation (lailatul qadar).

Salaam.

💝

package for some elderly people and tricycle drivers who deserve food sharing back in my mother’s town 💝

while the monthly food sharing is without ***kue apem***, this ***maleman*** food sharing is with ***kue apem*** 💝

5 big monthly package for nuclear family 💝

Resting My Case

When a lady goes,
Two dogs race with her, saying
See you again, friend!

—-

Completing the mosque night in Jakarta, I hopped to the next island. I have a holiday in lieu as I was working outside Singapore in its public holiday so why not meeting my friend in Bali to spend my Monday?

This good friend is a Buddhist, a devoted pupil of Dalai Lama. She has met him four times in person in Dharamshala. So it is a good thing to discuss about the news circulated about him; the sooner, the better for me to clear my hazy mind.

I explained to her my understanding about sexual harassment and abuse and the video that has made what might be called framing or true case depending on what brings to whom. She listened to me patiently. Then she explained to me quite long and clear about the Tibetan culture of “tongue eating” not “tongue sucking” and mostly about what kind of person Dalai Lama whom she has met and shaken hand with. She also asked me to watch the complete video, not only some part of it so I can build clearer context.

We had a long talk. Based on the chat l decided to delete my posting about Dalai Lama, not because I totally agree with my friend but simply because I don’t want to make things more unclear. Resting my case—

Waiting doe my flight with a light heart—

Salaam.

Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, my friend’s dogs

Ramadhan Odd Night

Learning, Poetic, This Person, Those People

Sleeping under dome,
Reciting signs of wisdom,
Ramadhan odd night

—-

Some friends of mine and I stayed overnight in Istiqlal Mosque on Apr 15 (25th night of Ramadhan) to focus on “sleep less, pray more”. We did much earlier as high schooler when we stayed overnight at school in 2 Ramadhan nights to sleep less and pray more to gain lailatur qadar that my friends and I believe is special night to reveal truth within our own selves.

This very time in Istiqlal 3 things were emphasised by some teachers to all of us.

Birr walidayn (doing good deed to our parents) including but not limited to making them feel in ease and peace, show respect and gratitude, talk softly, pay regular visit, cook their favourite food, buy good clothes, and other good deeds
Knowing one’s self = knowing the God — interaction with one’s self is as important as interaction with other human beings as tools to clearly see the core self within
Loving fellow creatures is paramount in life — no choice as human beings without discrimination!

Thousands of muslims stayed in the mosque and we didn’t know each other, we just followed the scheduled activities mostly in silence or very casual salaam except talking in low voice to few friends going together as groups.

Thanks for giving me one night to sleep less and pray more.

💝

with girl friends in senior high school class — me with 2 besties 💝💝💝 night for (crazy) youngsters

Ramadhan Odd Night in Istiqlal Mosque, me and 2 good friends slept under the 3rd pillar in the female chamber (left side of the hall), there is partition between male and female chambers — felt like staring hundreds of star clusters 💝

Fragrance

Who are friends, my dear?
The perfumers? The blacksmiths?
Whoever, they smell.

—-

Disclaimer: I am not spreading Islamic teaching. I am just telling how fragrance and good friends have manifested in my life.

—-

The most frequent gift I give to my closest female circle is fragrance, either perfume or soap. Yesterday morning before meeting my best friends, I decided to browse some fragrance. As normal there is never preferred brand about perfume. It is always about a click in the heart.

Indeed happiness can cost some $/c although it might be too small and can be an insult if given as currency; yet it must cost attention and/or time to appreciate the same. So perfume is a best option — no one has complained so far.

What about soap? Only to those preferring soap to perfume

I am happy to make myself happy by making my circle happy because they have been making me happy. Imagine your friends feel good and be scented at the same time.

This I do because I follow literally beautiful hadith by the Prophet as below.

Abu Musa reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, the parable of good and bad company is that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith. The seller of musk will give you perfume, you will buy some, or you will notice a pleasant smell. As for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes, or you will notice a bad smell.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5534, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2628

Authenticity grade of hadith: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

couldn’t help smelling all

Dwarving (becoming dwarves)

Why they’re so grumpy?
Error happens all seasons.
Just take lessons learnt.

—-

Instagram and Twitter are full of angry people who are not able to express their anger in such a way to be well understood.

WordPress is an ideal— a peaceful sanctuary❣️

his name is Grumpy

Table

Table, big or small:
Where meal, words and energy
Entertain people.

—-

Yesterday’s lunch break chat was about furniture. My colleague who just had a house warming said that she only has a bed and dining table and is planning to buy more things soon. Our styles are so much different and I think hers has also tapped my mind.

My dining table is a wooden slab with a long bench at one side and 4 chairs in the other. If there are more people visiting (which not yet happens up to now), they should drag armchairs from the living room or voluntarily standing. 😂

Hers is a retractable table that can be as small as 75 centimetres and as long as 3 meters. She has a total of 8 in her family so she needs space for 8 in the smallest family gathering. It attracted me to have one as mine looks bulky and occupies so much of space; however, modern retractable table doesn’t suit my Javanese house and of course it is expensive. So it is just an interest in a chat with her.

my colleague’s type of dining table — modern, sleek, retractable, expensive, suitable for her luxurious condo in Singapore 🙏🏼

We also talked about beds in which we agree good mattress is paramount for our old back. 😀

Both of us agreed to invite each other in the future when there is long weekend and of course when trees of rambutan, mango, banana, matoa, chiku, and so on in my back yard are ready for harvest.

my type of dining table – heavy, bulky, occupying space yet beautiful for my humble abode 💝

Salaam.

💝

Background

It takes good backgrounds
For stories to come alive.
Time, place or colours—

—-

this is the finally-decided colour for the background; just the background after many months, making sure this gift is loved by the birthday lady — thanks for your patience and understanding, Mbak ☺️💝

Melodic Prayer

No billowing smoke
Of incense she’s whispering
Melodies that free.

—-

i prayed that all that i love are happy and healthy wherever they are 🙏🏼

i prayed that their soul is reborn free and dedicated to humanity wherever they both are 🙏🏼

Good Time

Growth is happening,
Vectors might turn to balance
Good time everywhere.

—

when i was away working, she was happy blooming 💝

and she has been preparing 💝

Grateful Heart

There’s always a room
For a smile to fully bloom.
It’s called day and night.

—-

Thanks for being part of this journey. Without you I won’t be a full version of a human being. 💝

hope you are healthy and happy with your loved ones 💝

today’s Ramadhan breakfast (ifthar) — cooked by myself for myself with love ❣️

As Bright As Healthy Sight

Healthy sight sees bright
That blurs by cloud of the heart.
Clean it with blessed soul.

—-

Osaka Castle behind the bush 💝

Osaka Castle back side 💝 before short rain

Osaka Castle behind the pine tree 🙏🏼 after short rain

Grown Blessing

All are grown blessing,
Making days more radiant
Without prejudice.

—-

Flowers don’t envy others just because of colours, shapes, fragrance and/or sizes. They just bloom without prejudice blessing whoever seeing, smelling, touching, feeling, listening to the description.

Be blessed by flowers even those of grasses.

Salaam.

💝

gerbera, ranunculus and the gang 💝

💝

💝

💝

💝

💝

💝

Good Morning, Joy

Pink joy greets in breeze
Showering earth with blessings
Of cherry petals.

—-

a surprise at the gate! 🥰

trust me it made my day! 💝

showered earth 💝

neighbour’s sakura 💝

thanks for the blessings!

thanks for the blessings!

thanks for the blessings!

thanks for the blessings!

thanks for the blessings!

Blossoms

Blossom, welcome her
Among tasks and assignments
So she smiles and blooms.

—-

The way we thank for the work we do is by doing our very best for the work we do. There is no other way. Give our better best everyday for the work has given us their best.

Salaam.

cherry blossoms!

more cherry blossoms!

Beautifully Unheard

If she says
Love is the only gift,
It is still inaudible
As the doors are all closed
And that room is air-tight.

Unheard—

Even if she screams,
What flies back 
Is smooth and soft echo,
The bouncing waves
From a solid wall.

Beautiful—

—-

peace can be as simple as reading vague messages without trying to understand as guessing is not a good habit 💝

Smile

Mosquito’s smiling
At a girl grinning of itch.
A mutual joy—

—

i used to learn how to not smile at those at the other side of the table; back to smile after some years — i can lose in some negotiation but i won’t let them smile more genuinely than i do 😁 i grin actually

Missed Taste

Veggies on the plate
Tease eyes and brain to gobble
Quickly silently.

—-

Selamat Berbuka Puasa 💝

I should have eaten more slowly and experienced each and every taste with my palate. There should have been no sensation missed: sweet, bitter, salty, sour, gurih (umami). Don’t forget hot and cold.

Alhamdulillah.

Salaam.

yesterday’s Ramadhan breakfast (ifthar): boiled veggies, spicy tuna, boiled egg

today’s: nasi bakar (grilled rice with squid and stinky beans wrapped in banana leaf), boiled veggies, left-over of spicy tuna, grated mango and bangkuang rujak*

Rujak — Rujak (Indonesian spelling) or Rojak (Malay spelling) is a salad dish of Javanese origin, commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The most popular variant in all three countries is a salad composed of a mixture of sliced or grated fruit and vegetables served with a spicy palm sugar dressing. It is often described as tangy and spicy fruit salad due to its sweet, hot and spicy dressing made from ground chilli, palm sugar and peanuts.

Bengkoang (Indonesian spelling) or Bangkuang (Malay spelling) is jicama turnip.

My version of rujak: chilli, palm sugar, tamarind and a pinch of salt

A Gift

What gift is not wrapped?
Blooming flowers in April.
Warm and colourful—

—-

she is sitting next to the shower so she is generously bathed twice a day

balcony gang 💝 watered once in three days plus some blessings from the rain

at the corner of the shower room, behind the glass door so she doesn’t bath too often 😎 but still blooming 💝

Interaction

Where is sun when sets?
Where is moon in the day light?
They share love through time.

—

Interaction is about reciprocity; even when we are alone, we are interacting with some tool of life or with the deep self within.

When it is not reciprocated, interaction is not genuinely true.

Salaam.

a grandma with her grandson

a mother with her son

family gathering

feeding two grandsons

let’s climb!

hi, dove! said the little boy

what’s in the water? said he

bubbles!!!

what is that over there? ahh hope! ☺️

am i your headache? no, you are my universe 😂

don’t move, just smile! someone is taking our picture ☺️

she is asking her cam to see what she sees 🙏🏼

our daughter is playing, i am sitting near her

hey! clear up! i am gonna land!

electrocution my a**! 😁

Choice

Learning, Poetic, Those People

—

Choice’s falling star
Brightened in a quiet dark night,
Orbited to earth.

respecting this family for their choice of happiness, knowing that i will never be able to do so

inspiring me to at least enjoy simpler life and to accept all blessings more happily

Shadow

Is it the shadow
Or the real you show to me?
Distinguished beauty—

—-

i can’t remember which one is the shadow and which one is the real — i don’t want to observe further to find which is which

what i know the castle is beautiful day and night 💝

Balance