The Muruku Murmurations

I have recently been trying to pick up French and learning by picking up phrases to use in my poems. I am amazed by the depth of expression the French language has. Some people say I have an infectious smile, maybe it has the capability to catch fire, maybe. Tu me fais rire My smile releases as easy as fire that starts in the depths of the forest. Swirling and twirling Like butterflies dancing like starlings in the bright blue sky. Free With out judgement. Sweet Without malice. Nectar leaks with the morning dew. It stays In the gleam of my eyes Brightening your day Hoping that you will stay. - Swit Marie 0403H 23rd June 2018 Taman Bahagia

I wrote this when I had so much emotions pent up because I was so overwhelmed by Tash Sultana   performance on Tiny Desk by NPR. She is so raw and full of expression, I was left in a ball of messed up emotion I could not untangle. She left there crying by the interstate Slow jams and psy-trance playing It's calling her. Calling her to internal stories yet to be told It never grows old She is crying tears of summer days and wasted spaces Of memories that can't be erased It's permanent like a scarred tattoo It heals empty. She's been crying her lungs out Taking shelter under piers Away from light She's been gasping for air like a sick new born who doesn't even know what breathing feels like. She's been scrapping words from the ceiling of her mouth Hard and sharp They don't calm her down She can't comprehend her thoughts She been running down her shadows Gunning down her stilettos Screaming out her demons Playing t

It wasn't by chance that we met. I am grateful for meeting such a wonderful person. Since meeting him, we have shared very unique and exciting memories. It's a wonderful start to a beautiful friendship! The day was heated like a barbeque pit Waiting to grill assorted meats I remember walking down that street Slightly nervous, distracted and scatter brained Rushing for a dinner we would all be at I was thrown off when I bumped into people midway I arrived at the bustling rattling lot pacing outside closed shutters Look all around because my eyes couldn't focus My pale face was sweating worries and uncertainty I saw you standing there, waiting Your alluring blue eyes wondering I didn't know if I should smile It's been a while since I spoke to random strangers on the sidewalk I was unsure if I should greet you I decided not to be a creep You had no qualm Laid back and collected I didn't realise who you were Soon a familiar face came up to yo

This piece was written from a place when home was not a safe place. It was during a time when I was at the peak of one of my relapses and the only thing I could do to protect myself was to leave home. Home doesn't feel like home It doesn't feel like my own Conflict with no resolve With harsh and angry tones Shaking fear straight to the bone No space, room or place To grow up in grace. It never felt safe Even though we did behave Constantly in tension Involving the wrong kind Of attention Towards every action And opinion Living under his dominion And regulations. It wasn't safe for the mind Paranoia lurks from behind In every corner You will find Skeletons and monsters Having night terrors About every error No dreams of something better. Everything had to be a certain way From the start of the day To everything hat we say Not too loud or too bright I always had to be plain Being myself never felt right I kept my lips shut tight.

This piece was originally written in Malay, then translated to English, French and Russian . It is about a beautiful person and connection I encountered on last year. I had massive amounts of help from good friends of mine, Sylvain, Adelie and Eve. This piece was performed at If Walls Could Talk 's 3rd Anniversary . I miss you thousands of times Listening to your soothing voice whispering in my ear from afar Reminiscing by the seaside Longing for you. Melihat mukamu berkelip di antara bintang-bintang di langit malam sunyi Hatimu berdebar seperti gelombang laut membasah pasir pantai. Сладкие мимолетные воспоминания Твоё лицо нарисовано на моей ладони питает медленно в мою улыбку. La lampe de mon inspiration gardée dans les plis de ma robe avec nos secrets du passé. Tu me manques des millier de fois J’ecoute ton apaisante voix murmurer de si loin au creux de mon oreille Réminisçant au bord de la mer Languissant pour toi. I gaze at your face flic