Dear Rama.
This afternoon it rained heavily in Batu City.
I was drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette at a roadside cafe.
Meanwhile the cafe owner was playing Dave Moffat's songs.
I silently listened while my eyes blankly stared at the rain soaking the street.
Then suddenly I remembered you.
I imagined you sitting in the chair next to me.
You were drinking a cup of cappuccino and eating a chocolate donut sprinkled nuts.
While looking at a collection of paintings on your tablet.
You showed me all the paintings you've ever done.
A painting of a girl with flower eyed eyes.
A painting of a girl sad as the candle goes out.
A painting of a girl sitting on ruins holding a picture of flowers.
And also a painting of a family fleeing in a horse drawn cart.
I admired all your paintings even though they looked bleak.
Then I suddenly realized you weren't beside me.
You are still in Gaza where only ruins remained.
You are suffering too much and nothing I could do for you.
If only things aren't too bad like this I would have taken you to Batu City.
So you can truly relax and hang out at cafe with me.
Painting anything about a happy and beautiful life.


October 2025

By Alvian Eleven