Makan angin: taking in the air
Salt from the sea, fumes from exhaust
On Jalan Gaya is the Ramadan Fair
He’s taking his time, he likes to get lost.

Salt from the sea, fumes from exhaust
Sitting on the bench, no one seems to mind
He’s taking his time, he likes to get lost
Lepak kaki, everything is fine.

Sitting on the bench, no one seems to mind
Rumble of engines, up and down the road
Lepak kaki, everything is fine
He baca paper, in holiday mode.

Rumble of engines, up and down the road
Take off your slippers, after prayers at noon
He baca paper, in holiday mode
Streetlights come on, tonight is full moon.

Take off your slippers, after prayers at noon
In his living room, kids fight over TV
Streetlights come on, tonight is full moon
Wife will find chores, send him to buy tea.

In his living room, kids fight over TV
Let’s go watch clouds outside on wide glass
Wife will find chores, send him to buy tea
A good woman at home, but she says he’s malas.

Let’s go watch clouds outside on wide glass
Say ‘Apa khabar!’ to Arif from the shop
A good woman at home, but she says he’s malas
He’s worked real hard, to get to the top.

Say ‘Apa khabar!’ to Arif from the shop
On Jalan Gaya is the Ramadan Fair
He’s worked real hard, to get to the top
Makan angin, taking in the air.

 

 

Pey Pey Oh is Malaysian, and a Third Culture person who now lives in the UK. She is in her last year of the MPhil in Creative Writing at University of South Wales and is published in various anthologies and magazines like Cha, Magma, Readings, and Domestic Cherry. She loves to wander around by herself as a streetphotographer, capturing a moment in visuals instead of words. She also blends potions when she is serene.