The music of Johor Bahru is sitar strings plying breezesoff the South China Sea, fanning jasmine and lemongrass across verandas.
The music of Johor Bahru is rice pots popping, a kompang rhythm,cashews softening in coconut and ghee, nasi biryani, beef satay, pandan leaves, sizzling like bees.
The music of Johor Bahru is rafflesia’s red blare, whining Aiyahs. Hornbillshumming, monitor lizards clicking at chickens in the street.
The music of Johor Bahru is murmured Assalam Allaikum, it is Shanti, it is peace.It is macaques in mangosteen trees chucking fruit, hee, hee, hee.
It’s the music of Malays tapping rubber trees, Chinese miners, Britishcolonizers beating tin into profit, before the Japanese invasion captured your father.
The music of Johor Bahru is moon orchids, tiger orchids grafted to coral trees.It is sea eagles’ barking, prawn paste bubbling, your cumin-scented skin.
The music of Johor Bahru is succulent jungle drumming our cradle song,your sarong swinging our babies between your knees.
Photo by Afifi Zulkifle on Unsplash