over nasi goreng
and the crunch of fresh crushed
ice lemon juice (we won’t call it lemonade)
And the dead weight of dates make the palm bend
forward
as neon parakeets collect their sweet treasures and
leave the gems behind to grow. And
the shrieks of a hungry child- who might just
be tired-don’t you know? and a switch to their bright smile,
see the eyes of an opening mind and the stretch
of a waking soul and the wonder and surprise
as their world unfolds
watch this pitter patter of chitter chatter
over chai