The city is young and chaotic
not long ago rising from the muddy stream
where the Klang and the Gombak meet
a birthplace with the grandiose label
The River of Life.

Awakening us each morning is the Muslim Fajr
the dawn call to prayer recited
in the stillness between dawn and sunrise
a melodic other-worldly chant
echoing from the nearby mosque.

Asian Koels greet the first light
“ko-EL ko-EL,” climbing in urgency
from within the thick green laurels
that line the streets of a city
arising to meet the heat.

For us these are invites to coffee
slow starts to uncharted mornings
that begin with misty promise,
become lazy flowing river-days
nurturing the wishes we carry.