When I need some inspiration, I will always find ways to see Jimi, my soul-friend in Kampar, Perak. Driving a car or riding a bus to his place is such a pleasurable experience, thinking ahead of the wonderful moments I would share with Jimi, his warm-hearted parents, his ever-funny sister and his happening Ipoh friends. I remember going to those unforgettable greenery places, alive nightspots, and great eating places. But I am most enchanted by the old nostalgic buildings lining up magnificently along the road in the countryside. What a therapeutic sight!

My friends will always wonder why on earth that I adore Ipoh so much. I understand, Ipoh is not as attention-grabbing as KL. And we can hardly find sophisticated skyscrapers here. But, I always think of Perak, particularly Kampar and Ipoh, as my personal sanctuary. I somehow feel emotionally attached to these places. Looking at those buildings, I could feel the mysterious sweetness of pain, sorrow and melancholy - as if they were speaking to me and telling great stories in a language only a hopelessly-romantic person like me could understand. Yes, I always feel like I want to belong here. It’s irresistible. I owe all these feelings to Jimi. Well, he could be the reason for all this wonderful feeling association.

“Cekmi, I am so scared with your concept of sweet melancholy,” one of my doctor friends said to me not long ago. I asked him, “Why? Am I sick?”
“No, you are not. But, do you know that only a poet can feel what you feel now? And for your information Cekmi, most of great poets in the history committed suicide.”

Thanks for the kind reminder, my dear friend.

Labels: cekmi's romantic obsession