i miss

i miss seeing the shrivelled frangipanis on the ground,

scattered in between the blades of sticky grass,

on which flawless water droplets grip onto.

i miss seeing the sparrows swoop through the air,

hopping between busy feet.

always ready to steal morsels of food

from the carefully woven offerings

dedicated to the gods.

i miss seeing the street dogs;

matter fur, snarling, digging through the rubbish on the street.

a frantic fury of wagging tails,

as a streak of ginger flashes before them.

i miss seeing the yellow flags flap in the breeze

in the days leading up to Nyepi.

and the rivers of people flooding the street;

a waterway of balinese culture,

rich and vibrant.

i miss seeing the rice paddies fly past me,

as we chugged around on our scooter,

and the crickets chirping as twilight crept through the streets,

interrupted by the dim headlights of oncoming vehicles.

i miss seeing the grey clouds on stormy days,

and the low rumbles of approaching thunder 

rolling through the infinite sky,

as the palm trees swayed above...

the small things, seemingly absurd,

and now precious,

shining behind my eyes.