The Myna

So here we are, in this
Third World. Palm trees,
Rice paddies, machetes.

Doves couple on concrete walls.
Seasalt breeze, like surface
Fire . . . Sapphire, emerald.

Sanctuary comes, commands
Silence. Our mothers cut tongues
To police. Masked,

The myna bird speaks
On the mulberry tree. Elsewhere,
Ants against an elephant.

//

Sang Jalak

Jadi disinilah kita,
Di Dunia Ketiga ini. Pohon palem,
Sawah, parang.

Merpati bercinta di dinding beton.
Angin laut asin, seperti permukaan
Api . . . Safir, zamrud.

Suaka datang, menuntut
Keheningan. Ibu-ibu kita memotong
Lidah ke polisi. Bertopeng—

Jalak Bali berbicara,
Di pohon murbei. Di tempat lain,
Semut melawan gajah.

//