Iman Budhi Santosa’s “Aaaaahhhhhh”

(translated by Kit Kelen and Chrysogonous Siddha Malilang)

from The 100 – Celebrating Flying Islands’100th pocket poetry collection

yes, right after the foreplay
I have to shag you
in the tall grass, in the stable
or in front of our children’s eyes
or better, in front of the mirror
to make our play more honest
so we can be sure
I feel what I feel
you feel your feelings too

yes, nature lets us look for
this divine map, and in that very moment
we give back love
in love, in a long prayer
God himself will come
bringing everything: will
like a crackling thunder. Soft
yet shocking. Yet pleasing

lo and behold, who are they
suddenly here
laying bare
still