Simply

Aku ingin mencintaimu
Dengan sederhana
Dengan kata yang tak sempat
Diucapkan kayu kepada api
Yang menjadikannya abu

Aku ingin mencintaimu
Dengan sederhana
Dengan isyarat yang tak sempat
Disampaikan awan kepada hujan
Yang menjadikannya tiada

I want to love you simply
In words not spoken:
tinder to the flame
which transforms it to ash

I want to love you siimply,
In signs not expressed:
clouds to the rain
which make them evanescent

– “Aku Ingin”/”I Want” by Sapardi Djoko Damono

The poet is a graduate of Universitas Gadjah Mada, and this is probably my most loved poem of his because of the sheer sincerity and passion. Sometimes there’s no need for grand gestures of affections, fancy dinners on Saturday nights and lush beach vacations every summer. There is still enjoyment found in the simplest of activities. There are countless of times where I would see couples just riding their bike on a fine day, walking hand in hand under the warm yellow street lights of Malioboro where the night is brimmed with life, or quietly reading their books in cafes. No surprise, many corners of the city do spark the ambience of romance with the presence of old architectural buildings, quaint cafes accompanied by local musicians which just mixes together all so pleasantly. And have you ever seen a sunset in Jogja? The subtle explosion of colors in the sky just makes you want to capture it, and share it with someone. ‘Cause like what it says, what’s happiness when they’re not shared?

But nonetheless, I have fallen for you Jogja. I want to love you simply, take in your every charm and giving you my outmost affection in return. You’re where I will always come back to.

Why are you making it so hard for me to bid you farewell?