Back in 20 August 2016, a good friend of mine named Astrid, celebrated her birthday. She did not ask for gifts, but challenged me a birthday poem instead. Challenge accepted! And I began to recall every single memory I shared with her.
We firstly met in 2006 during our freshman year in university. We were not close. We didn’t share our personal story. I didn’t even have a clue where she lived or how many siblings she had. We didn’t hang out.
We got closer since two or three years ago when we met at Indonesian independent film screening in South Jakarta. She was there, serving as organizer. And I was there, spending Saturday night with not-so-mainstream activity. Since that day on, I lose count of days I hang out with her — or text each other with our stupid jokes.
And as far as I can remember, Astrid is one of a kind female friend I know. I am hoping that you can see her through this poem. It’s called About a Woman I Know.
Now, meet Astrid: a nature lover, book junkie, and literature enthusiast!
Men,
She is not the girl who wears lipstick
only to seduce your ego
But, she…
will take you out from the fake city lights
to places where sun looks bigger than apartments and malls
She will take you by the hand,
breathing fresh air at the top of the mountain,
screaming your gratitude to God,
and hearing the echo the next second,
shaking hands with locals,
making friends with strangers you meet at traditional dirty market
probably with your feet bare
with Rp20,000 in your pocket jeans
Men,
You can’t drag her down
because she is stronger than your bones
She buries her insecurities at the bottom of the sea
because she has no time to whine
and mourn over the scars
She is too busy celebrating her life
so that she can share her joy
to people with hope
in their eyes.
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