Narrow rough asphalt grey Fences and walls defend snatches of privacy The ting ting ting of meat ball sellers The cacophony enemy of ears from the three wheeler Dryness, then dark downpour Outside rapacious streets gobbling time, time, time Insatiable The whirr of a fan Humm of a laptop Work, maybe
POEM: The 99% – just a spontaneous reflection
White or blue or yellow all-the-same dress Sewed-in name on pocket Blue singlet, overalls White shirt, collar and tie Smile hiding a grimace Alien from one’s hands A uniform experience A union of rejection
Poem: Surreality
Surreal Reality defined by the borders of cafe conviviality Too real Reality defined by bomb flash and hunger pain Surreal Blue sky winding-down mood Surreal Black, darkening sky, all sketched in blood red, Tear scarred screams, exhausted eyes of hopelessness Real Raised fist, organised ranks, grim smile, hopeful Real Surreal Words with sharpened […]
Poem: Refugees I
Cartridge poppy fields drones not bees buzz above Stranger soldiers stand atop of armoured cars Turrets turning pointing spitting Roadside revenge awaits to mame Mother father boy girl radar surrounds searching for a future Cloak swaggering corruption advised by straightened ties Escape, escape the pings on the radar speak A boat brings them to […]
Short poem: Cowardice
Silent, whizzing, spying, killing drone Bombs dropping shock and awe, death and amputation Cowards worship mammon, hearts of stone Humanity defeating them will see them wither, dead, alone
Sajak kadang rindu
Kadang rindu akan orang Kadang rindu akan suasana Kemiskinan, kecapekan melarat merajalela Kadang rindu akan perbuatan
Sajak (kecil): Mengenang Jogja dari jauh
Alun-alun “sibuk” tapi tak berumput tak berwarna-warni bali-ho meneriakin iklan disetiap sudut sana sini mahasiswa boleh pilih antara sejuta kios H.P. untung ada nasi kucing murah di wilayah D.I.Y. Kampus-kampus macam-macam pilihannya tetapi tergantung juga orang tua berapa duitnya kesana kemari ada Jogja busway cuma satu jalur terpaksa pula minta orang tua beliin sepeda motor
Poem: My Jakarta
Pollution dust, heat, grey gravel asphalt Fumes, horns, engines jammed for miles Splintery bench, watery soup with salt sweat box home cramped with tired smiles Strip lights sauna stitching fingers Grinding machines cutting tin saw the brain Aches, brain burn all day lingers Child’s laugh, partner’s tear, a touch bears the strain. Lovely music jangles […]
Poem: Jakarta worker
blood shot eyes, blood shot eyes, blood shot eyes four hours commute through chafing wind by motor bike each day? 12 hours shift? sleeplessness from heat and crowded quarters, crying child, weary wife? counting bills and income again and again and again? blood shot eyes, blood shot eyes, blood shot eyes
Sajak: pemandangan perjalanan (pergi jauh?)
Tembusi korden debu polusi, simfoni klakson dan bising campur azan memandang seribu dua ribu toko dan kios marhaen sepeda mebel kursi roda plastik-plastikan soto dan foto presiden-presiden Lewatkan entah rombongan atau khalayak nuju entah pula kemana sesak-sesak di metro-mini Pengamen berumur 12 tahun main gitar-gitaran di lampu merah Jendela membingkai pemandangan semua sampai juga negeri lain […]
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