Baggage of Memories

Kecak Dance Performance, captured in Uluwatu, Bali, January 2025

If later on you find this poem is worth sharing, you can use this link to do so. Enjoy :)

Waiting in front of the carousel I find myself hummin’ the melody I remember, once a verse of a magical poem I read somewhere

It takes me back to the sun that welcomed me with its brightest smile To a sacred place where some faiths embraced To a beautiful dance that danced along the sunset To a serene place where the mountain kissed the lake To its people’s kindness wrapped in silken grace To each dish they served— a tasty work of art To the true artistry that lay in the histories blew my mind To the mesmerizing sound of the sea’s rolling waves And to the dramatic rain that brought me home at last

I finally pick up my memories at the airport Filled with heartwarming feelings and all While in the Island of Paradise

The first stanza of the poem captures the moment I waited for my baggage in front of the (baggage) carousel at the airport. As I stood there, one of my favorite poems crossed my mind, I remembered it clearly, flowing like a melody. Then, it began to take me back to the moments I had in Bali — which I capture in the second stanza.

I recalled the sun shining brightly, even though just days before my trip, all of my social media FYPs showed that it had been raining heavily in Bali, causing floods and landslides in some areas. Then I discovered a place where a mosque, a vihara, and a church stood side by side. That sight filled me with a rare sense of harmony. The next thing I remembered was the famous and mesmerizing Kecak Dance, performed alongside the sunset, as if competing to be the most beautiful sight.

I stayed in a hidden villa that offered a breathtaking scenery — right in front of my stay was a serene lake stretched out beneath a majestic mountain. The scene felt utterly romantic and magical. Everywhere I went, I always treated with such warmth and kindness as a guest. Most of the foods I tried was also delicious. I even got to learn about some local arts, especially the traditions of one of the villagers from around the 1950s, where women went topless as a symbol of pride, believing it was part of their value to attract attention.

https://phinemo.com/pakaian-adat-bali-dahulu-wanita-bali-tidak-pernah-memakai-atasan/

I also couldn’t forget how beaches in Bali moved me, with the sea and its rolling waves. Last but not least, I remembered flying home under the rain, as if Bali were giving me a dramatic goodbye.

The final stanza captures the moment my baggage finally arrived within my reach. But in my poem, I symbolize it as a heartwarming memory. So, I picked up my memories and placed them in a special corner of my mind— just as I picked up my baggage and brought it home.

Do you have other cherished memories in Bali that feel alike?

I’ve always wanted to write a poem inspired by my journey through the cities I travelled to. This is my first time and not gonna be my last! I really appreciate it if you’re giving any kind of gesture to support ❤

https://saweria.co/sasgiaz