Poetry by Pamela Hardy

The Constance of Same

The cock crows at five
every morn of the year
at six pm sharp
the twilight appears
tt lasts only minutes
and swiftly accedes
the indigo mantle
night's velvet embrace

Like the beat of the metronome
the constance is thus
warmth tempered by trade winds
days length always the same

Some cherish four seasons
And long for the snow
a shivering body
cold fingers and toes
icicles forming on the end of one's nose.

But the beauty of tropical
will always remain
like the beat of the metronome
the constance of same.

The Evening Walk
By Pamela Hardy

Chattering chattering chattering
noises so faint
drawing nearer
rising lowering louder now clear
Kecak! Kecak! Kecak!
issues forth in a thunderous union.

In the black indigo
night there's a bright shining light
around it sit circles of men
their bare torsos are gleaming
and sweat forth is streaming
with hands outstretched and fingers that tremble
in the language of monkeys
sing Hanuman's tale.

The chanting is mighty
lauds battles and fighting
sweet Sita and love that is loyal
reaching crescendo the night has surrendered
to a roar like the roar of the sea.

Now a serpentine melody
a bamboo flute trailing
its haunting notes wailing
the rhythm of gongs ring resounding
the magic of night's sweet embrace
as I walk on to Ubud
with fireflies lighting the way.

My Friend
By Pamela Hardy

Wayan Made Nyoman Ketut
when speaking of gender
what prefix is put?
Ni is for females
I is for men
it is so useful to know
what to use when.

In this land of volcanoes
adat always decrees
how the naming of children
in Bali will be.

Wayan Made Nyoman Ketut
which merely are numbers
one through to four
don't worry though
if you can't comprehend
say teman to all
call everyone friend.