Lost in-
Elegant, yet simultaneously serene scenes
Silhouettes of my future self
Moving and grooving
Gallops through groups of groupies
Herds of photographers, paparazzi
Please, perdon, permisi, atansyon
I may be well known
Or look like a lad you should shoot
But please, let me live my life
A Haitian who’s lived in America for most of his life
One trip to a Buddhist temple to apply what he’s learned
Borobudur, Indonesia
Indonesian people
Students, laki-laki, perempuan
“May I have a picture please mister?”
“Ya, tidak apa”
In my head I know that if my soul is to sink in the silhouettes of my future
I must use this attention as practice
Let me, move and groove to the switching of groups
Eager to show their friends and family the American they’ve met
Y’all don’t know me
But still, I must appreciate your want to take a picture with me
Despite me invading your home
Despite me exercising my privilege as a college student from America
Despite me taking in your culture
When you may not even have the opportunity to take in mine
I—
Enjoy your weather when it’s not too hot
Enjoy your food when it’s not too sweet
Enjoy each beach
Enjoy your clothes
Enjoy your kindness
So I guess it’s no trouble if you want a picture
To my future fans
And to my current ones
I will try to take in my experience today
And when you ask me to take a photo
No matter the mood I’m in
Hopefully,
I can get lost in the beauty of someone appreciating you
Even if they probably shouldn’t be there
…
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, the 23 other students, along with 6 staff members, and I were granted the opportunity to visit the Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. We learned a lot about the temple, especially about the centuries it took to build the temple, the various symbolisms of the designs, and its overall significance. As an obvious outsider, I was subject to photos with Indonesian students, and also an interview about my experience thus far in Indonesia. As I reflected upon this experience, myself, and the future I desire to have (as a musical artist), I created this poem.
