EXCERPTS FROM A FIRST DATE
Samuel Xun’s AMSR, ‘‘I’m Exhausted, Where is he’
By Adinda Yuwono
This is a writer's response to Samuel Xun’s AMSR. AMSR is an Art & Market project featuring digital and physical small rooms showcasing the practices of emerging artists and writers. For more information, click here.
Samuel Xun, ‘Old Habits Cry Hard’, 2022, wall paint, glitter ribbon, and polyvinyl acetate wood glue on wood base, 70 x 70 x 10cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
♥ I’m looking for love ♥ Real love ♥ No thanks ♥ I’m vegan ♥ You share the same name with my Poodle ♥ I’m not a psychopath ♥ I’ve only hacked into someone else’s emails twice ♥ It was mainly because their passwords are weak ♥ I’m ordering wine for both of us ♥ All girls my age are either married or starting their own businesses ♥ Yes I still live with my mother ♥ Why ♥ Did you know I wrote a book ♥ I wrote it when I was 16 ♥ But I wouldn’t say I’m a writer writer ♥ I just have a lot of opinions on a lot of things ♥ Try googling my name ♥ My last breakup made me cry for a week ♥ Nonstop ♥ But I still use his Netflix account ♥ I’m sure he doesn’t mind ♥ Do you ♥ Can I follow you on Twitter ♥ Why is it locked ♥ Do you believe there is a God ♥ You know I still pray sometimes ♥ It soothes me ♥ I swear I’ve never used a dating app before ♥ I told you ♥ I’m nice ♥ And pretty ♥ And smart ♥ I’m a catch ♥ So you’re telling me you’ve been working in the same place for the last seven years ♥ But how come you’ve never seen Wong Kar-wai ♥ Your parents still give you pocket money ♥ You’re filthy rich aren’t you ♥ How does it feel to be privileged ♥ What would be your lowest achievement in life ♥ I bet there isn’t ♥ Let’s see if our Sun, Moon, and Rising match ♥ Don’t tell me this is your ex ♥ Are you sure she’s not like 12 ♥ Are you Chinese ♥ But you have fair skin ♥ My mom told me I can only date Chinese boys ♥ and Christians ♥ That’s a lot of work isn’t it ♥ Do you even read ♥ But you’ve never read poetry ♥ No ♥ It doesn’t count ♥ You’re not very smart are you ♥ I don’t mean to pry but ♥ Did you ever cry because your parents didn’t buy you something you want ♥ Can I order this again for takeaway ♥ WAITER ♥ You’re paying right ♥ Love songs are for teenagers ♥ That’s how Taylor Swift makes money ♥ Real stories aren’t to listen to ♥ Miranda says that if a man is over 30 and single there’s something wrong with him ♥ Except you ♥ Can I see you again please ♥ I think I’m in love with you ♥
For more written responses to AMSR, click here.
About the writer
Adinda Yuwono is a writer and arts manager living and working in Jakarta, Indonesia. Her written work ranges from translation to short story, essay, and poetry. Death and the marks it left over the living have always become the main subject in her work. Adinda published her first poem in the anthology ‘Puandemik (Jual Buku Sastra)’ in 2021. Her poem will also appear in the forthcoming ‘Whiteboard Journal Open Column 3’.
