Still in Bali, nowhere near meeting the goal of a stanza a day, but here’s a second instalment.
A fortnight away (part two)
On Saturday to Gunung Sari Legong:
a temple dance, dances of courtship, war,
a gender-fluid Kebyar Terompong,
the gamelan that carries us like straw
on water; last, spectacular Barong
and whirling Rangda red in tooth and claw.
Speaking fingers, doll-like lips and eyes,
all human, but in otherworldly guise.In Ubud, signs say ‘Uber dilarang’,
‘Monkey Crossing Take Care of Your Stuff’
‘Italian Resto – Pizza, Nasi Goreng’
‘Coffee! Beer! Too much is not enough!’
‘Tourists’ top choice farma’. Yin to yang:
sweet trampled offerings. But the culture’s tough.
Small boys with kite on Monkey Forest Road.
Ganesha’s tusk is snapped. He’s still a god.
Me fail? I fly! 
“Small boys with kite on Monkey Forest Road.
Ganesha’s tusk is snapped. He’s still a god”
This is elegant – fine tight metre and diction. Showed it to Mum (Jennifer Maiden) and she thought so, too: said it’s memorable.
Katharine
Quemar Press
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Thanks, Katharine. I like that couplet too.
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