Throughout my Journey, I have found;
That the way to hear, the One Truth,
Is to withdraw from the people;
And just be immersed in Silence.

There I hear not clashing of the tongues;
When self-proclaimed warriors of God,
Fight in their holy War of the Words;
Over who understands His plans best.

In the absence of man's words, I hear Him;
And the sound of Peace, yearning to be heard,
As it has been drowned for eternity;
By man's deafening pride and vanity.

So pray tell, who needs man's dagger-sharp words;
When unto Him is all the words of wisdom?

++ Wonderful ++

Wouldn't it be wonderful?
If mankind becomes one;
No matter where you belong to,
Or which place you call home.

Whether you stand by the cross,
Or under the moon and the star,
Or on the lotus flower,
Or within the six-legged star.

If mankind stands side by side,
No war in the name of The One,
Nothing but the words of Peace,
And hearts that rest in contentment.

Wouldn't it be wonderful?

Ashburner Street, May 2012

" That day I hesitated,
Today I live in regret."

" Ask me to wait, for you to fly,
And you will have my Eternity. "

" That time my smile was not a mask,
I was in Peace, to be with you."

" You may leave me behind as you reach the sun,
But make me your resting place when you're worn out."

" Behind the smile that paints my face,
There is a girl in love with you."

" Home is where you are,
I find comfort in you."

" Since the first time we exchanged, 'Peace!',
I've found Peace in your company."

Sydney (Ashburner Street), Saturday 11th February 2012 12:40am

"I saw Eternity in you,
But you did not see it in me."

"Behind this quiet, gentle smile,
There is passion burning inside"

"I heard you speak of thousand dreams,
I want to make them all come true."

"One Lady, fills your fantasy,
That Lady, I will never be."

"One secret, I shall not reveal,
I've loved you, always and always."

"They come and go, as Time decrees,
But you will remain, now and then."

"As you search for your long lost Love,
I fell behind, and am bleeding."

"I wish the words, "Kun fayakun",
Were said for you and me, to be."

"It tastes like dark chocolate,
Bitter, yet intoxicating."

"If your Love I cannot have,
Let me have a share of your Pain."

Sydney (Ashburner Street), Tuesday 31st January 11:30pm

++ Eternity ++

When the midnight sky no longer burnt,
And the City clamor faded into stillness,
'Twas the time when two souls met,
Whose eyes interlocked,
And fingers intertwined the other's.

Words were exchanged,
Thoughts were shared,
Hearts were unlocked,
Secrets were unveiled,
And dreams were written.

In that quietness of the night,
One could only wish,
That Time would melt into Eternity...

***

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 26th January 2012 2:41am

++ Nama ++

Sebelum kalian menduga hal-hal yang [tidak] diinginkan, tulisan ini bukan surat cinta :p.

***

Sang pujangga pernah menuliskan dengan penanya, “Apalah arti sebuah nama?”

Mungkin dia tidak tahu rasanya jatuh cinta pada sebuah nama. Tahukah, aku jatuh cinta pada namamu di kali pertama aku mendengarnya? Nama yang sederhana, bahkan biasa, namun aku tidak pernah bosan untuk mengucapkannya. Bahkan ketika engkau memintaku untuk memanggilmu dengan nama yang berbeda, karena sebagai seniman kata engkau memiliki nama pena, aku menolaknya. Karena bagiku, tiada yang lebih indah dari nama yang engkau punya.

Tahukah, karena namamu, kini padamu aku jatuh cinta? Namamu lah yang membuat wajahmu terbayang setiap kali aku mendengarnya. Namamu lah yang membuat jantungku bergetar setiap kali aku mengucapkannya. Namamu lah yang membuatku ingin menjadi sahabat hidupmu untuk selama-lamanya. Karena aku ingin memanggil namamu, dengan nada dan air muka yang berbeda-beda. Sedih, marah, kecewa, bahagia, dan mesra.

Walaupun akhirnya keinginan dan kenyataan adalah dua hal yang berbeda, aku akan tetap cinta. Walaupun suatu saat wajahmu buram dalam ingatanku, dalam hatiku namamu akan selalu berada – di tempat yang paling istimewa.

Dear Memory,
The tales that are written on you,
Make Heart bleed, and weep in pain,
Please erase, recite no more.

***

Dear Paths,
You twain crossed, then swiftly diverged,
And left behind a lonely Heart,
Please look back, reunite once more.

***

Dear Time,
Fate you have conspired with,
To separate Heart from Joy,
Please make way for them, to be.

***

Dear Chance,
You let Heart sip the sweet wine of Love,
Then gave nothing but bitter Despair,
Please relieve its thirst, let it live.

***

Dear Dreams,
You promised Heart a Garden of Fulfilment,
But the Land of the Lost, is where it now stands,
Please speak lies no more, and show what’s real.

***

Wednesday, 23rd November 2011

If I had the courage to write you a letter, this is what I would have written.

I may have grown up wishing that I had more. I may have grown up asking for unreasonable things, that you could not provide. I may have said hurtful things back then. I don’t know, but if I did, I want to apologise and tell you that you have done more than what anyone else can do.

As time goes by, I have come to learn what sacrifice you have made in order to bring us this far. When things got tough, you did not abandon us. Instead you sacrificed your ambition in order to nurture us, despite the limitations. I have watched silently, as you face the harsh reality and have your expectation be shattered to pieces. I know, how much you have regretted all these circumstances, and yet you remain where we are for our sake. You know, I wish my lips could utter these words to you, “Let’s get out of here.” But nay, I have not had the courage to say them. I fear that by uttering these words, I will become a bad person. But then again, maybe my not saying it, is the reason you have endured so much.

It is still ingrained into my memory, when you said you wished you could have given us more. But really, you have given more than what you could have. Now I notice how you try making us happy by buying us the finer things in life later on. I can only say, a child I no longer am. Maybe back then I said I wanted this and that. But really, now I desire nothing of materialistic nature. I am content with what I have. I may not have the luxury, but I am quite fine with living a modest lifestyle. I understand that you have the instinct to give us something as an expression of love, to make us happy. Still, my happiness depends not on all these materialistic things. I am happy as long as you are happy. I am happy if you can ever find within you, a sense of peace – something that I suspect you have not had for the longest time.

All I want to say, is that you have done enough for us. I am content with what I have, and what I have saved up for the future. On that note, maybe you feel that I need more so that I can be happy, but rest assured that is not the case. Please have faith that I can take charge of my own life, and that I make my decision based on what (I think) is best for me. You may neither agree nor see the worth in my dreams, but please know that without these dreams I will feel ‘hollow’ and ‘meaningless’ – that is not something that you want your beloved one to feel, is it? Also, you often say that I can be more beautiful by doing such and such thing, which in turn will attract more people. Thing is, I would like to believe that I am beautiful the way I am now. I understand I am a woman of imperfection and faults, but that does not mean I should try to mould myself to fit in the ‘beauty’ stereotype. And I would like to believe, that I can feel beautiful because someone loves me for who I am, and not I am loved by someone because I look beautiful. So have more confidence in me, and I shall have more confidence in myself.

Once again, I want you to know that I am content with my life...

++ Another ++

Another trial [from my Lord],
Another event to bemoan,
Another fire ignited,
Another bitter word swallowed,
Another piece of heart shattered,
Another self esteem destroyed,
Another sorrow carved within,
Another ocean of tears shed,
Another distance set apart,
Another silence to unfold,
Another coldness to engulf,
Another burden to carry.

But above everything else,
It is another chance from Him,
To prove my worth, and arise,
And become a stronger being.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 25th September 2011, 22:35

++ Games ++

Another old one sitting inside my folder, unfinished. Pardon the abrupt ending but I really could not relate to what I felt at the time when I started writing this piece.

***

One voice cried,

“Friend, Life I truly despise,
For all the games that it tries,
One time it flies us high,
To draw the heavens nigh,
Suddenly it pulls us down,
To leave us alone, and drown.

Now what remains is poison,
I know not if I’ll hold on,
Save me, I want to live,
Life I long to believe.”

Another spoke,

“Blame not Life, the Innocent,
Who but watches us mortals,
Playing games with each other,
Crafting masks of deception;
Threading words of fallacy;
Singing songs of shallow love,
False friendship, empty labels.

When the trusting fools are scarred,
By the thorns of betrayal,
The Guilty shall not be Life,
But us, the skill’d deceivers.”

Thus it concluded in silence,
And they quietly departed,
To return to the Play,
That we humans have staged,
For eternity.


Original: 29th April 2011
Finalised:13th September 10:11 pm
Sydney (Ashburner Street)

++ Promise Unfulfilled ++

As I dug my old folder, I found some unfinished poems that I started writing ages ago. So I thought I'd finish it, though there might be a change of 'feel' in the middle XD. So here is one of them:

***

You said, “Cry not my love,
Today we may not be,
But we will meet again,
In the Garden of Peace.

Where we will sit side by side,
On vast green, and soft carpet,
Embroidered with a thousand,
Of flowers in full blossom.

There will linger the sweet scent,
Of the ripe and tender fruits,
Of all kinds, all near to hands,
Made abundant to us twain.

Then chirping birds, gushing springs,
And hushing breeze we will hear,
As they joyfully sing for,
The day you and I, are One.

Eternal companions, we will be.”

Those words I have held on to,
But now blurred is the vision,
Of the Garden I once beheld,
When you kissed me a farewell.

Do you know, the hands of time,
Have ever since pulled me down,
To the depth of despair,
And Peace I upheld no more?

The calm water then turned into fire,
That burned and consumed me from within,
Now I behold a barren, dying field,
Where one hopes not for redemption.

Tell me, my long lost Love,
Will you and I still be?
Will there still be a way,
For me to be, where you are?

Original: Sydney, 25th March 2011
Finalised: Sydney, 12 September 2011, 10:58pm

++ Silent Words ++

It began with a silent word,
Exchanged from miles away,
“Peace!”
Voiceless, and yet, profound,
The path of solitude we once walked,
Had since disappeared,
And we are alone no more.

In the Land of the Free,
Where day and night are one,
And distance exists not,
Silent words unite us,
Rejectors of indoctrination,
Believers of free will.

Though this silence you cannot hear,
Can you feel, this growing hope?
That the day will come to pass,
When the walls of traditions are broken,
The holy authorities frighten no more,
Shackled minds are set free,
And mankind will be one.

---

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 7th April 2011 22:04

++ Curse ++

A curse cast upon us,
For a sin committed,
In our previous life.

Know we not, how to mend,
And only punishment,
Keeps repeating itself.

Say, how many cycles,
Of this pain and sorrow,
Have we twain experienced?

Say, how many more years,
‘Til we are forgiven,
And we can love again?

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 9th February 8:48pm

++ Hey Girl ++

Hey Girl, it’s been a while,
Since you said a bitter goodbye,
Left me as you walked a new life,
You’d move on, find another love,
That’s what you said.

But nay! I trust you’re able not,
For we’ve been together for years,
I know you, more than anyone,
Without me, you are insecure,
And without power.

Hey Girl, what brings you here now?
Standing alone on the edge,
This face, is all too familiar,
Something troubles you, I know,
On a runaway.

Miss you of our time together?
I was your only faithful friend,
Was there when the world denied you,
Gave you the chance to take control,
Of your life and self.

Hey Girl, come closer, worry not,
Trust me, we’ve been here many times,
I’m here to help you, take my hands,
And together we will dive down,
‘Til eternity.

++ Come ++

"Come to that place of old,
A place we called 'sanctuary',
Where harsh reality reached you not,
And your life you took control.

Come to that place of old,
Fear not, we've been there many times,
You survived and still stood tall,
One more visit shall do no harm."

The voice of the past calls me,
And breathes the air of nostalgia,
Alluring, bewitching,tempting,
And I know not how to resist.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 29th January 1:15am

++ Words ++

You may think,
Your words construct perfection,
You may think,
Your words carry righteousness,
You may think,
Your words are for my benefits,
You may think,
Your words are realities.

But...

Do you know,
Your words shatter my self esteem?
Do you know,
Your words awaken the devil in me?
Do you know.
Your words have only brought me to a fall?
Do you know,
Your words have been nothing but lies?

And I believe them.
All these years,
Has been hell.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 28th January 2011 10:06pm

++ Star ++

A shadow, I want not to be,
Whose presence only lingers,
When light shines upon you,
And wanes when darkness smiles.

Let me be a shining star,
Though from you I am far,
I will light your night,
And guide, ‘til morning comes.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 26th January 11:32pm

++ Layang-layang ++

Hai layang-layang penuh warna,
Terlihat bebas engkau terbang,
Namun dia jauh di sana,
Memegangmu erat dengan benang.

Sesekali dia menarikmu,
Memotong jarak, dan mendekat,
Dan sesekali dia mengulur,
Membuatmu jauh, dan jauh.

Apa nasibmu kelak, hai layang-layang?
Akankah dia pulang denganmu di genggamannya,
Atau akankah angin waktu menghempasmu,
Dan hilang engkau dari hidupnya?

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 26th January 10:51pm

++ Red ++

It drips, drop by drop,
Slowly, endlessly,
Takes a little life,
From inside of me.

It drips, drop by drop,
Pierces through my skin,
Gives a tingling pain,
A guilty pleasure.

It drips, drop by drop,
What is it I see?
My hand’s drenched in red,
And I feel so numb.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 24th January 2011 00:36

++ Entah ++

Indonesian (Original Version)
Entah sampai kapan,
Aku melukis bayang-bayang,
Menggoreskan warna masa depan,
Di atas kanvas angan-angan,
Mungkin nanti,
Saat ‘kau katakan semua ‘tak ‘kan terjadi,
Dan nanti,
‘Ku harus rela ‘tuk melepas hati...


English (Translation)

God knows when it will come to pass,
That I stop painting [your] shadows,
Streaking hopeful colour of the future,
Onto the canvas of dreams and illusion,
Maybe then,
When you say that all can never be,
And then,
I must find the strength to let my heart go...

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 19th January 2011 7:06 pm

++ Hilang ++

Indonesian (original version)

Mencari permata kehidupan,
Di antaranya padang ilalang,
Namun tiada kutemukan,
Karena engkau telah hilang.

English

The diamond of Life, I seek,
In the midst of spear grass field,
But I shall never find it,
‘Cause you are no longer here...



Sydney (Ashburner Street), 20th January 2011 11:02pm

++ Promises ++

Dear Love,

Remember you, of the night?
When the news broke, and I cried
‘Forgive me Dear, I must go.’
Those painful words you uttered

Remember you, of that bitter morning?
When the time came, and you kissed me goodbye
‘Wait for me Dear, I’ll go home with glory.’
A promise made, and it keeps me living

Now two autumns has fallen since waiting became me
Not one night has gone by, that you visit not my thoughts
Are you well still, when the land treats you unkindly?
Are you lonely, when none at night keeps you company?

Love, can you hear what I long to say?
I want you not to be a hero
Who yields sword and fight ‘til your last blood,
And leaves but a painful name behind

So please, when the fire’s ahead,
Don’t be a hero, think of us,
Keep yourself safe, and come home soon.
I am here still, waiting for you.

I miss you.

***

Remember when we started, Jo?
I said, “Kid, I’ll be your Big Bro.”
“I’ll keep you safe under my wing!”
That promise, I have now fulfilled.

But hear, there is one promise,
I made, and now will have to break,
A lady, come to her, and tell,
Don’t wait anymore, and sorry.

‘Cause I feel the time is drawing near,
The bullet inside has stopped burning,
My body is turning numb and cold,
And the world becomes a sea of blur.

I wish I can witness the moments,
When the field becomes green once again,
When the smoke no longer suffocates,
Then we will loudly cry, “Victory!”

But no. It is time for me to go,
This battle you’ll have to fight alone
Promise me that you’ll keep yourself safe,
And tell her the words I cannot say,

Stand tall, and move on,
I love you. Always.

Farewell.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 2nd january 2011 19:10pm

++ Hey There Jonah ++

I heard stories about you, Jonah,
How fear overwhelmed you, and you ran,
Then the arrow sold your life away,
And inside the belly, you became.

Jonah, I too am here, the belly!
But why, can’t find you here, where are you?
Is it true what they said, you survived?
You swam to the shore, and regained life?

It is dark Jonah, and I am scared!
The fish inside me is growing bigger,
It consumes me, uncontrollably,
As if telling me, I’m powerless.

Can you hear my call, Jonah?
Show me the way out of here,
And how to be where you are,
To the land of peace, and joy.

The land, Of Redemption.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 2nd January 2011 1:02am

++ This Place ++

This place is cold,
When I enter,
I deeply sigh,
Another day…

This place is cold,
And we are ghosts,
Invisible,
To each other.

This place is cold,
For ev’ry word,
That is exchanged,
Carves pain within.

This place is cold,
Suspicious heart,
Grows, and makes trust,
Non-existent.

This place is cold,
I start having,
Thoughts that aren’t me,
But they control.

This place is cold,
Unpleasant voice,
Speaks, and shatters,
My self-esteem.

This place is cold,
So tell me how,
To make it warm,
For all of us.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 2nd January 2011 12:33am

++ The Lowly's Song ++

The sky is my shelter,
And the ground is my bed.

Ragged clothes adorn me,
Though warmth, it does not give.

A slice of yesterday’s bread,
Grateful, I will be to eat.

A second glance you will not give me,
For what describes me, is not beauty.

Ah tell me, what should I do?
When love comes, unexpectedly.

You, I grow to dearly love,
Yet I, shall never reach you.

For I, the lowly, cannot love,
You, The High, the prince of this land.

14th Dec 2010 10:41pm

+the Dungeon ++

When the darkness envelopes,
And the City is asleep,
We the poor souls are awake,
Enslaved, inside the dungeoun,
Embracing agony ev'ry second,

Yet we still dream, forbidden dream,
The freedom of tomorrow.
Yes the hopes shall keep us alive,
That someday, the time will pass,
When we break this tall concrete wall,
And be, amongst the Free.

Sydney, 1sssst Dec 1:56Am

++ The Two ++

The mind of logic tells me,
That ev'rything is an illusion,
It can never be, therefore forget!

But the heart of dreams whispers,
Believe what appears to be, and walk,
So reality, it will become.

Oh the Mind and the Heart, tell!
Between you twain, who speaks the truth, lies?
Who will betray and who will protect?

Tell me now, I need to know.
Before time flies and leaves me behind.

Sydney (Ashburner Streer), 1st December 2010 1:20am

++ Forgive Me ++

I’m not quite the girl you want me to be,
I know, I know, I know.

The Beauty you see in the magazines,
Forgive me, I cannot be.

The mountain of success you look up to,
Forgive me, I cannot climb.

The world adorned with ruby and diamonds,
Forgive me, I cannot give.

The path most traveled by, of comfort,
Forgive me, I cannot walk.

The person of perfection you behold,
Forgive me, I cannot love.

There are things for you, that I cannot do,
‘cause this life is mine to live.
Forgive me, but I’m happy.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 30th November 2010 22:07pm

++ A Child of Dreams +++

Amazing what an hour of procrastination can result in. Written when trying to be inspired to finish my Engineering report on wastewater recyclying system :s.


***

She was a child of a thousand dreams;
She longed to be that girl of such grace,
Who’d take the wind’s hands and freely dance.
She longed to be that affectionate lover,
Who’d caress the music with her fingertips.
She longed to be that sculptor in disguise,
Who’d live another’s life behind her crafted masks.
She longed to be that silent storyteller,
Who’d tell the world her minds through lines and colour.
But alas! To her, life was not so kind.
As the words of man have defeated her.
And the child of dreams has now died,
Trapped and buried in the sand of time...
And to me, standing before the present,
She has become a tale long forgotten.

***

Sydney (UTS Lab 6:49), 28th October 1:55pm

++ Hear ++

An old poem that I found sitting in my computer hard-drive. It was unfinished, so I decided to add to it a ‘lil bit. So here goes…

***

You say,
Bow with humility and challenge not,
Those who master the knowledge of life.
Then tell me, am I an arrogant fool?
These questions within, I cannot silence...

You say,
Follow with utmost faith and traverse not,
Save the way of those who have departed,
Would you then think I’m a lost sheep?
For I chose my own path and walk in solitude.

You say,
You are but shame and a temptation of life,
Who stain a man’s heart with lustful desires.
Ah, whose soul is it that I have wronged?
For I’ve only desired the sun upon my skin.

You say,
Submit and raise not voice over him, your leader,
Whom He has created a degree over you.
I wonder, my friend, if I am then a rebel?
That equality I will forever strive for.

You say, you say, and you say,
‘Til eternity will have gone by
Never will you choose to hear,
What my heart always longs to say.

***

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 16th October 2010, 10:29pm

++ 大丈夫! ++

My first poem in Japanese, written about 4 weeks ago. Then I decided to write the English and Indonesian version :).

++ 日本語 ++


過ぎ去った時間 の ように,

つまずいて 傷ついて...

過ぎ去った時間 の ように,

私の希望 は 現実には ならなかった...

過ぎ去った時間 の ように,

全部 は 海の泡の ように 消えて いった...

過ぎ去った時間 の ように,

私は立ち上がり, 又 歩いて いく.

大丈夫!


++ English ++

Just like the times that have gone by,
I stumbled, and I was hurt...
Just like the times that have gone by,
My hope did not translate into reality...
Just like the times that have gone by,
Everything disappeared like the bubbles in the sea...
Just like the times that have gone by,
I will stand up, and walk again.
I will be alright!

++ Indonesian ++

Seperti waktu yang t'lah berlalu,
Aku jatuh, dan aku terluka...
Seperti waktu yang t'lah berlalu,
Harapanku 'tak menjadi kenyataan...
Seperti waktu yang t'lah berlalu,
Segalanya menghilang bagai buih-buih lautan...
Sepertu wantu yang t'lah berlalu,
Aku akan bangkit, dan berjalan kembali.
Aku akan baik-baik saja!

***

Sydney (Lamitte Cafe), 22nd September 2010 4.57pm
Sydney (Ashburner Street), 16th October 9:51pm (English and Indonesian version)

++ Running ++

With one word, they awakened,
The devil, who dwelt within,
Thus, I ran against the wind,
As if I was chasing the time,
Hard I tried, to silence her voice,
And to escape her, her clinging claws,
And I ran, I ran, I ran,
Because I wanted to live,
Like you, like her, like him, like them,
Just like how we were meant to live.
I wanted to live,
I wanted to love,
So please,
Let me be...

Sydney, Ashburner Street, 15th October 5:54pm

++ Teruntuk Seorang Sahabat ++

Hai Sahabat Tercinta,
Cerahkah langitmu di seberang sana?
Terakhir kali kita bertukar kata,
Hati ini didera gundah nan gulana,
‘Kau dengar, dalam ketiadaan suara,
Ringankan beban yang sesakkan dada,
Dan ‘kau buat aku kembali percaya kepada kata ‘percaya’,
Sehingga ‘tak lagi aku putus asa,
Perlahan hidup mulai kutata,
Dan kuterima ketidaksempurnaan yang ada.

Tahukah, Sahabat Tercinta?
Aku baik-baik saja,
Aku bahagia,
Dan di sini aku berdo’a,
Agar ‘kau pun bahagia apa adanya,
Sekarang, dan selamanya.

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 10th October 2010, 1:01am

++ Rindu ++

Puisi dadakan.

++ Rindu ++

Berdiam serta merindu,
Dalam rasa yang ‘tak tentu,
Menerka isi hatimu.
Sekarang, hanyalah itu,
Yang bisa kulakukan untukmu.
Hingga tiba satu waktu,
‘Kau tahu isi hatiku.
Hingga tiba waktu itu,
‘Ku ‘kan s’lalu menantimu.

***

Sydney (UTS MegaLab B2.6.49), 9th September 2010, 12.52pm

++ Getar ++

Getaran ‘tak bersuara,
Sampaikan untaian kata,
‘Tak terucap bibir manusia.
Ia percikkan sebuah rasa,
Indah damainya bagai nirwana,
Namun mungkinkah, semu belaka?
Bisaku hanyalah diam bertanya,
KepadaMu, Wahai Maha Cinta,
Apakah t’lah ‘Kau susun sebuah rencana,
Dengan perjumpaanku dengan dirinya?

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 12th June 22.53

++ xxxx dan x ++

Spontanitas berkarya, walau hanya sepatah dua patah kata, ketika gelombang komunikasi menyampaikan pesan pendek tak bersuara :).

Indonesian (Original Version)

***

Dua kata,
Satu dan empat untaiannya,
Penutup dan pembuka,
Menggugah hati 'tuk bertanya,
Apa kah yang dimaksud olehnya?


English (Translation)

Two words,
One and four shall be the count,
The closing and the beginning,
The heart then curiously asks,
What can it possibly mean?

Selasa, 12 Juni 12:01pm

++ Rain ++

Mengingat masa lalu...

++ Rain ++

Do you remember that time,
When the day overlapped the night?
The street was cold and quiet,
And you heard nothing but the sky’s cry.

There I sat, on one corner of life,
Suffocated, and silently I screamed,
You heard it, well, maybe not,
But still, you found me, and you saved me.

You took my hands and pulled me out,
Of that which almost drowned me,
And together we fought the rain,
And escaped to a place where wounds could heal.

Did you feel, the warmth I felt on that rainy day,
When I found sanctuary behind your back,
Did you know, at the time of years away,
Something grew within, that now still stays?


And can you hear, My Cherished One?
Just like that time, the sky’s now weeping,
But alas, I have not you here,
And this rain I must fight alone..

Sydney, 21st May 2010 23:34

++ Voice ++

A random poem that I wrote few weeks ago. I got the inspiration after I read a story online. I am indeed lucky.

++ Voice ++

Here I am, inside,
Imprisoned, in a house of ignorance,
Not knowing the reason of my existence.

There you are, outside,
Here I hear the sky rip as you fiercely talk ,
And feel the earth tremble as you proudly walk.

Far away you are, from me,
I’m a defender of justice! You roared,
And you will not rest, ‘til the law is restored.

When the sun descends and the light is no more,
You’ll enter without knocking on my door,
Nor whispering the words I’ve been yearning for.

Then you’ll tell me the story of your day’s fight,
How you slain your enemies with all your might,
And I can see your pride reaching the mountains in height.

But my dear, tell me,
Whose justice is it that you are striving for?
When I’m here, unspoken for.

I’m a captive of your protection, cast away,
From the world filled with lustful desires, you say,
And inside this veil of shame, I shall forever stay.

I’m silenced, for my voice is made unheard,
I’m blinded, for my eyes are blindfolded,
I’m unknown, for my identity is forever masked.

Tell me, are you as just as you truly claim?
When in front of you, lies an empty frame,
Who wanders in life without an aim,

All because of you, whom I have never loved…

Sydney (Ashburner Street), 31st March 7:01 pm
Edited 8th May 11:49

++ On the Day ++

Another random poem. It is unfinished and I don't know when I'll have the inspiration to finish it off *sighs*


***

Live, I have never experienced,
Love, I have never embraced,
Freedom, I have never been granted,
Crying, was all I ever learned to do,
Her scream, was all I ever heard,
His hands, were all I ever felt,
When suddenly, I lost my voice,
It was dark, it suffocated me,
Before long, I knew I was there no more,
Now I see the stars fall, and the sun overthrown,
I behold his sight, struck with terror,
For my Lord has asked me,
“For what sin were you slain?”

--

People told me, I was indeed fortunate,
My share of life, was greater than the others,
But how could I be sufficient?
When there was much wealth to gather!
Thus in life I greatly desired,
To be adorned with holy diamonds,
And build myself a temple of gold,
Which I would guard against anyone!
Those were the days, that I now call miles away,
The blast of a Trump has just awakened me,
Before me is the scrolls unrolled,
And to the Garden dwellers I can only say,
“I cried lies to this Day, ‘til It came unto me.”

--

There was a land, renown for its riches,
All its people, desired to be on the top,
And I was the one standing with glory,
Yea! Truly my Lord has honored me,
What I was bestowed, I ought to protect,
Thus I turned away from the people of the street,
And listened not to the cry of the fatherless,
Yea! I shunned them all who would reduce,
The finery of life I dearly love,
No, I did not remember ‘til the earth is crushed,
And now, that which binds is brought nigh,
Far I can see the peaceful ones at rest, and I sigh,
“Alas! If only I had prepared for this!”

--

“I gathered and hoarded wealth,
Because my wife feared poverty.”
“I was unkind to my neighbours,
Because they hurt the pride of my progeny.”
“I did not weigh with full measure,
Because I sought the favour of my brother.”
“I turned away and fled from the Path,
Because I saw that most walked the other way.”
“They, are the ones, who have led me astray,
And thus, let them carry for me my sins.”
I defended. But the scale remains still,
And I know, just like the scattered hills,
My hope of redemption has flown away...

--

Sydney, 30th April 2010 1:18am

++ Apabila ++

Apabila tiada kabut yang membutakan mata jiwa,
Apabila tiada gempa yang menggoyahkan nyali ‘tuk bertanya,
Apabila tiada penjara yang menaungi ideologi manusia,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila ilmu diijinkan untuk kita kaum jelata,
Apabila pikiran tersucikan ‘tuk mengerti yang dibaca,
Apabila logika menang di atas takhayul dan mantra,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila menjadi berbeda bukanlah hal yang hina,
Apabilan nama bukanlah pemantik benci dalam jiwa,
Apabila kisah yang lalu tidak digunakan ‘tuk mengangkat senjata,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila kata-kata bukanlah tempurung semata,
Apabila kain sutra tidak hanya menutup raga,
Apabila hati selaras dengan bibir yang mengucap sejahtera,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila semua sama tanpa ada yang dielukan lebih mulia,
Apabila satu budaya tidak dianggap paling sempurna,
Apabila setiap insan mengarahkan sendiri nahkoda hidupnya,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila tekad diteguhkan ‘tuk meneruskan dia yang pertama,
Apabila janji diwujudkan agar permadani bumi dipelihara,
Apabila negara dihapuskan dan semua adalah saudara,
Datanglah padaku, dan sampaikan kabar gembira.

Apabila saat itu tiba, datanglah padaku, hai bidadara!
Katakan bahwasanya nirwana itu benar adanya dalam dunia,
Dan katakan, tiada perlu lagi daku memejamkan mata,
‘Tuk berada dalam dunia yang selama ini berwujud mimpi belaka.

Sydney Ashburner Street, 1 January 2010 11:11

++ Biarlah ++

Biarlah senja pergi dan malam menemani,
Membawakan kegelapan yang menyelimuti;
Setidaknya dapat kulihat dengan seksama,
Indahnya kerlingan bintang nun jauh di sana.

Biarlah dunia diam ‘tak berucap kata,
Mengisyaratkan kesunyian ke mata jiwa;
Setidaknya dapat kudengar walau perlahan,
Denyut urat leherku penanda kehidupan.

Biarlah angin Barat dan Timur bertiupan,
Menusukkan belati bermata kedinginan;
Setidaknya dapat kurasa lembut membuai,
Kehangatan sapaan mereka yang berdamai.

Biarlah berlayar bahtera kesendirian,
Melawan arus manusia menenggelamkan.
Setidaknya dapat kugerakkan dengan bebas,
Nahkoda hidupku, ke alam yang ‘tak berbatas.

Biarlah.
Tidak apa-apa mereka seperti apa,
Bagiku sudah cukup di sini aku ada.
Dan dengan rasa ini aku pun bahagia.

Sydney Ashburner Street, 14 Desember 2009 00.59

++ Percaturan hidup ++

Bagai papan catur hitam dan putih, itulah kehidupan,
Terdapat jalur yang lurus, adapula yang menyimpangkan.
Sering terhenti langkahmu oleh musuh yang menahan,
Kadang harus rela berkorban, agar ajang itu ‘kau menangkan.

Akan kah ‘kau sangka bahwa yang paling kecil nampaknya,
Bisa jauh lebih berharga daripada yang paling besar bentuknya?
Tahu kah ‘kau setiap langkah yang ‘kau ambil adalah sebuah taruhan,
Yan ‘kan tentukan hidupmu ‘kan berbuah kekalahan atau kemenangan?

Namun ingatlah, tidaklah bisa ‘kau anggap hidup sebagai permainan,
Yang bisa ‘kau menangkan dengan sekedar membaca buku panduan.
Dan janganlah ‘kau ikuti, walau mereka terkenal ahli dalam bidangnya,
Karena setiap manusia menjalani hidup yang berbeda.

Ingin ‘ku berseru kepadamu, hai kawan, pergunakanlah akalmu,
Pikirkanlah baik-baik, ke arah mana ‘kau inginkan hidupmu ‘tuk menuju!
Gerakkan bidak-bidak hidupmu sendiri dengan mengikuti kata hati,
Pada akhirnya, semua ‘kan ‘kau pertanggungjawabkan sendiri.

‘Tak ‘kan ada mereka di sampingmu, ‘tak kan mereka menolongmu,
Jika pada [analisa] akhir, ‘kau dapati dirimu kalah dan tumbang semua bidakmu.
Maka percayalah pada dirimu sendiri, dan raihlah kemenangan yang nyata,
Dengan bidak hidupmu yang berdiri, berat jika ditimbangnya.

Sydney Ashburner Street, 9 Desember 2009 00.53

++ Emas ++

Bagaikan butiran-butiran logam mulia,
Bertebaran di seluruh pelosok dunia,
Terbenam dalam lumpur yang bertimbun, tanpa daya,
Tidaklah berharga bila hanya dipandang sebelah mata.

Itulah mereka, individu-individu kesendirian,
Menempuh dalam sunyi jalan kebenaran,
Di alur hidup yang penuh akan pencemaran,
Terasingkan, namun tetap mereka bertahan.

Biarlah… sudah damai hati melihat mereka ada,
Mengabdi dengan hati tenang dan bersahaja,
Mempersembahkan kepada dunia yang hampir ‘tak berwarna,
Setitik keindahan sejati yang [kini] sangatlah langka.

Tahukah, bila butiran-butiran ini dikumpulkan dan dileburkan,
‘Kan menjadi sebongkah emas yang indah berkilauan?
Dan dalam kemurnian, ‘tak ‘kan pernah mereka tunjukkan,
Setitik noda pun karat, hingga bersua kita dengan penutup jaman.

Karena itu, ingin hatiku 'tuk berkata,
Bersabarlah dan teruslah pantulkan cahayaNya,
Di manapun kalian berada...


30 November 2009, Sydney Ashburner Street 13.12

++ Domba Berbintik Merah ++

Di suatu malam yang telah sunyi, terusik tidur seekor domba berbulu putih. Telinga mungilnya menangkap samar-samar suara, yang terdengar tidak biasa namun begitu memikat hatinya. Dengan mata setengah terbuka, dia melihat sekelilingnya; segerombolan domba yang berbulu putih lebat tertidur dengan pulasnya, seakan tidak ada resah maupun bahaya meliputi diri mereka. Rasa kantuk merayunya untuk membenamkan kepalanya ke dalam alam tidur sekali lagi, namun rasa penasarannya seolah menarik sekujur tubuhnya untuk mencari tahu, dari mana kah suara itu berasal. Perlahan dia beranjak dari peristirahatannya dan dengan satu hentakan kaki, dia melompati pagar kandangnya; meninggalkan tempat yang telah menjadi rumahnya [dan kaumnya] selama sekian lama.

Si domba putih terus berjalan, hingga lelah serasa mematahkan tulang kakinya dan berhentilah dia untuk beristirahat. Dia merebahkan tubuhnya di atas hamparan padang rumput, dan berselimutkan langit Subuh yang mulai menyingsing fajarnya. Selama hitungan beberapa hembusan angin, dia terdiam, memandangi alam terbuka yang teramat asing baginya. Sungguh, padang rumput terlihat sangat hijau tanpa batas dan pepohonan menjulang tinggi seakan menggapai langit. Semua adalah pemandangan yang tidak pernah dia lihat di dalam kandang sempit penghuniannya [dahulu].

Tersentak si domba putih dari lamunannya ketika seekor kijang muncul di belakangnya? Hai domba putih, dari mana asalmu dan mengapa kau sendirian? Si kijang menyapa dengan suara yang lembut. Si domba terdiam, tidak sepatah kata pun keluar dari tenggorokannya dan rasa takut terpancar dari sepasang bola matanya. Si kijang merasakan ketakutan si domba dan dia tersenyum kecil sembari berkata. Janganlah takut, hai domba putih, lihatlah, aku dan kamu adalah sama. Kita adalah binatang alam ciptaan Tuhan, tidak ada yang perlu ditakuti. Si domba menatap dalam-dalam si kijang dan setelah beberapa saat, dia menjawab. Tapi kamu adalah kijang, dan aku adalah domba! Aku mendengar dari domba-domba lainnya, bahwa kijang adalah binatang yang liar! Yang liar dan jahil, yang berkeliaran ke sana kemari tanpa kendali, tanpa tujuan!

Bukannya tersinggung, si kijang justru tertawa kecil. Oh domba putih, tahu dari manakah kalian, hidup kami para kijang? Kalian hanya mendengar kabar angin mengenai kami, tidak pernah kalian lihat sendiri dengan mata kalian seperti apa kami ini. Memang kami hidup bebas, dan itu tidak ada salahnya, karena kami tahu ke mana kami ingin pergi. Sedangkan kalian? Pagi, siang dan malam, kalian digiring oleh penggembala kalian; mengikuti saja dan tidak memahami makna dari setiap langkah kalian. Hidup kalian habiskan di balik kandang tanpa melihat hal-hal yang ada di alam terbuka! Apalah arti hidup, jika tidak bisa kamu tentukan sendiri ke mana arahmu pergi?

Si domba putih terdiam dan menundukkan kepalanya, seakan membenarkan perkataan si kijang yang pedas dan tajam. Dengan sedikit terbata-bata, dia membalas. Aku… aku tidak seperti yang kamu katakan! Aku di sini, karena aku mengikuti suara, suara yang memanggil-manggilku. Dan aku tahu itu jalanku!

Si kijang melompat-lompat kecil, memutari si domba yang masih terlihat sedikit takut dan bingung. Ho, jadi kamu juga mendengar suara itu? Aku tahu di mana berasalnya suara itu. Akan kuberitahu di mana kamu bisa menjumpanya, jika kamu berani! Kata si kijang, seolah menantang. Si domba, kini merasa tertantang, melompat dan menghentakkan kakinya dan berseru. Bawa aku ke tempat itu! Aku tidak takut sama sekali.

Tersenyumlah si kijang dan dia memutar badannya, membelakangi si domba dan berkata. Ikutilah aku, hai domba! Suara itu berasal dari bukit itu. Si domba tertegun dan dia menyahut. Hai kijang. Aku berasal dari penggembalaan barat dan aku merasa suara itu berasal dari timur. Dan arahmu sekarang bukan timur. Tentunya dirimu salah? Si kijang menjawab. Hai domba, suara itu tidak mengenal mana yang timur mana yang barat. Yang kutahu, mendekati suara itu sangatlah sulit, harus menempuh jalan yang mendaki dan sukar, tetapi bersabarlah!

Entah mengapa, keraguan dan ketakutan si domba hilang seketika. Yang ada di dirinya hanyalah keinginan untuk menapaki jalur yang akan menuntunnya ke arah suara itu. Dan bersebelahan dengan si kijang dia berjalan, menuju tempat suara itu berada, walau semakin jauh dia meninggalkan kampung halamannya.

Sungguh perjalanan ini tidaklah mudah bagi si domba, yang terbiasa hidup di balik kandang. Hidup bermalas-malasan dan hanya bergerombol menikmati sedapnya rerumputan hijau segar. Medan yang dia tempuh bersama si kijang penuh akan bebatuan dan sering dia tersungkur jatuh, sehingga tubuhnya memar oleh luka. Langit pun, yang semula bersahabat, mendadak menjadi angkuh dan mengguyurkan hujan ke seluruh tubuh dua binatang ini. Namun entah kenapa, untuk pertama kalinya si domba merasa bahagia dalam kesukaran. Setiap tetes air hujan menyejukkan hati si domba; mungkin, karena dia tahu setiap tetes hujan adalah salah satu pewarna hidup yang dia lukis sendiri.

Di setiap langkah yang dia ambil, dia bersua dengan banyak hewan, yang berbeda bentuk namun serupa. Ada kala, dia bertemu kambing kecil yang tersesat kelaparan dan berbagi rumput untuk dimakan. Ada kala, dia bertemu kuda yang terbelit tali di lehernya, dan membantu melepaskannya. Dan si kuda pun akan bercerita tentang kisahnya, yang dikekang oleh manusia-manusia ‘tak berperasaan. Si domba pun hanya bisa terdiam, merenungi semua yang telah terjadi dalam hidupnya.

Setelah sekian lama, tibalah si domba di balik bukit tujuannya. Terkesima dia, melihat pemandangan yang ada di depan matanya. Dan di sanalah dia mendapatkan suara yang dia dengar di kandang penghuniannya dulu; suara itu berbisik mesra, dalam hatinya, yang mengatakan bahwa dia merasakan kedamaian. Dia palingkan wajahnya untuk berterima kasih kepada si kijang yang menemaninya ke bukit kedamaian dan si kijang hanya bisa tersenyum lembut, sembari berkata. Adalah keniscayaan bagiku, untuk mengabarkanmu jalan menuju bukit ini. Dan kini mungkin adalah giliranmu, untuk mengajak kawan-kawanmu, agar mereka merasakan kedamaian yang kamu rasakan ketika kamu menapakkan kakimu di sini.

Si domba mengangguk dan dia pun berlari, menuju tempat dia berhuni dulu, untuk bertemu teman-temannya dan mengajak mereka untuk jalan bukit mendaki. Namun sesampainya di sana, hanyalah sedih menyelimuti hatinya, karena teman-teman lamanya menolaknya, bahkan mengolok-olok dirinya, yang sudah berubah banyak. Si domba, yang tubuhnya kini berhiaskan bintik-bintik merah bekas luka, hanya bisa berdiri di depan segerombolan domba putih yang tiada henti menghujatnya.

Satu domba menyeru. Hai kawan, lihatlah dia, berani sekali dia mengajak kita keluar dari sini. Tidak tahu kah dia bahwa di sini adalah tempat yang terbaik?

Satu domba lagi menyeru. Lihatlah dia! Bulunya kusut dan tubuhnya penuh akan bintik-bintik merah. Dia sudah tidak seperti kita! Dia sudah bukan anggota kita, domba putih berbulu lebat! Usir dia!

Satu domba lagi menyeru. Aku setuju! Jangan ikuti dia! Dia menyuruh kita meninggalkan tempat yang telah menjadi rumah kita selama sepanjang masa! Dia ingin kita tinggalkan rumah bapak ibu kita! Dia ingin kita berjalan susah mendaki bukit dan meninggalkan nyamannya hidup di sini!

Satu domba lagi menyeru. Hai, domba tercela! Enyah kamu dari sini! Kamu hanya ingin menyesatkan kami! Enyah! Enyah! Enyah!

Dan segerombalan domba tersebut berpaling dari arah si domba putih berbintik merah, dan berjalan meninggalkannya, mengikuti arah suara ketukan tongkat penggembala yang berdiri di kejauhan. Si domba berbintik merah hanya bisa mengucapkan kalimat perpisahan, semoga bahagia menyertai mereka.

Dengan kelapangan dada, kembalilah dia ke bukit mendaki; biarlah, dia menggumam. Walau hanya sendiri dan dengan status terbuang, setidaknya dia bebas menghentakkan kakinya, memilih sendiri jalan untuk hidupnya. Dan di setiap langkah kembalinya, dia berharap di bukit kedamaian di atas sana, akan bersua dia dengan mereka yang bernasib dengannya. Domba-domba dan mereka kaum yang terbuang, yang menemukan jalan mereka ke bukit kedamaian, dengan mendengarkan suara… suara hati mereka.

Sydney Ashburner Street, 27 November 2009 01:24

Note: gotta love my bro for giving me a link to this hilarious and somehow-connected-to-the-moral-of-this-story photo.

++ Kedamaian ++

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana,
Mengulum buah manis bergula,
Saat menyaksikan hari ditutup, lagi dibuka,
Seraya memilih: satu, tiga atau lima.

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana,
Berdiam pisahkan diri dari hiruk pikuk dunia,
Membuai jiwa dengan alunan sajak bernada,
Sembari memandang bulan terbelah tiga.

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana,
Menahan diri dari semua,
Setelah bulan terpenuhi bilangannya,
Dan menyempurnakannya tiga kali dua.

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana,
Mensucikan diri dari cinta dunia,
Setelah bumi sekali mengitari surya,
Dengan hitungan setengah dari tiga,

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana
Menghabiskan waktu bersama-sama,
Mengelilingi dunia jumlahnya empat dan tiga,
Di perawalan bulan penutup masa.

Seandainya bisa, sesederhana,
Membasuh gurun bernama dahaga
Dengan meneguk air penyejuk jiwa,
Dan menyelesaikannya dalam hitungan tiga.

Sesungguhnya semua terdengar sederhana,
Tapi aku tak bisa, aku tak bisa,
Menikmati Kedamaian seperti mereka,
Dan [mungkin] ‘kau katakan aku ‘tak ‘kan bahagia.

Ah biarlah kurangkul dengan cara yang berbeda,
Mungkin ‘kau akan berkata, tidak sewajarnya
Tahukah, aku tidak ingin menjadi apa-apa,
Hanyalah sederhana, namun lebih dari biasa…

Menerangi gelap hidup dengan setitik cahaya,
Membuat belengu-belenggu itu tiada,
Membuat tangisan lapar ‘tak lagi bersuara,
Dan tersenyum menyampaikan kabar benar apa adanya.

Beginilah aku, sekian dari jutaan manusia,
Menjalani hal-hal secara ‘tak biasa,
Yang mungkin bagimu tidaklah sempurna,
Tapi ini cukup bagiku ‘tuk bahagia.


Sydney Ashburner Street, 3 November 2009 21:48

++ Hanyalah Sebuah Cerita ++

Izinkan aku tuturkan sebuah cerita,
Tentangnya, yang termahsyur di seluruh dunia,
Terkagum semua, baik lelaki mau pun wanita,
Karena sesungguhnya, tiada yang lebih mempesona.

Pagi, siang dan malam berelu-elulah mereka,
Di antaranya melantunkan tembang-tembang cinta,
Dan di antaranya menuliskan sajak-sajak tiada habisnya,
Tentang keindahannya yang ‘tak terungkap oleh kata,


Namun tahukah ‘kau, apa yang dia rasa?
Tidaklah dia bahagia, hanyalah merana,
Karena sendiri walau dipuja oleh semua,
‘Tak satu pun mengerti yang ada di dirinya.

Ada kala, satu dua mencoba mendekatinya,
Hanya berbekal ketulusan, dan sedikit harta,
Untuk mengenalnya, sebagaimana dia apa adanya,
Sayang hanyalah terasingkan mereka, dan tercela…

Dan hilang lah pecinta-pecinta sejati dari hidupnya,
Kini terduduk dia, merasa sendiri saja,
Walau dikelilingi oleh beribu-ribu manusia,
Yang tiada henti memuja-mujanya.

Sembari meneteskan air mata, dia berkata:

‘Tak perlu ‘kau tuliskan sajak beribu-ribu jumlahnya,
‘Tak perlu pula ‘kau nyanyikan tembang-tembang ‘tak bermakna,
Yang aku inginkan hanyalah sentuhan ‘tuk benar-benar dibuka,
Dan dimengerti sehingga menembus jantung dan jiwa.

Namun tiada di antara mereka yang mendengar rintihannya,
Dan dalam kesendirian dia habiskan hidupnya,
Menunggu dan menunggu, agar kelak berubah nasibnya,
Mungkin ‘tak kan terjadi hingga tiba penutup masa.

Sydney, 18 November 2009 23:08

++Orang Mulia ++

Katakan padaku, apakah definisimu akan orang mulia?

Apakah Mereka yang bersembunyi di balik jas putih,
Berselimutkan aroma obat-obat yang menusuk hidung,
Dan menidurkan jemari Mereka di atas urat nadimu?

Kudengar nyanyian indah bahwa Mereka adalah penyelamat nyawa manusia;
Sebagian dari ilmu Mereka sembuhkan sakit yang tiada tara, katanya.
Namun mengapa rintihan sumbang realita tunjukkan hal yang berbeda?

Kulihat banyak yang tergelatak ‘tak berdaya,
Bahkan ‘tak sedikit yang tragis menemui ajalnya!
Menantikan pertolongan yang ‘tak kunjung tiba…

Tahukah kamu apa yang kulihat?
Banyak dari Mereka yang enggan mengulurkan tangannya,
‘tuk melayani para rakyat jelata yang ‘tak berharga!
Dan tertera harga tinggi ‘tuk membayar jasa ‘kemanusiaan’ Mereka,
Sehingga kesehatan menjadi komoditas eksklusif bagi mereka yang berharta!

Orang mulia… Apakah Mereka yang terduduk di kursi-kursi konstitusi,
Membenamkan kepala di balik tumpukan buku Undang-undang,
Dan tentukan aturan-aturan yang melandasi hidupmu?

Dijunjung tinggi sebagai pendiri sistem keadilan,
Berjuang menegakkan kebenaran dan memberantas kezaliman.
Namun mengapa yang berserakan sampah-sampah kebusukan?

Kulihat banyak yang tidur beralaskan aspal, berselimutkan polusi perkotaan,
Sebagian [besar] dari mereka tersungkur, tertusuk belati kelaparan,
Dan bertanya lah mereka, adakah yang memperjuangkan untuk kami keadilan?

Tahukah engkau apa yang kulihat?
Terbungkam mulut Mereka dengan segepok uang kertas,
‘tuk membisukan penindasan terhadap kalangan bawah yang terampas hak-haknya.
Dan Mereka panjangkan tangan Mereka ke kantong pembangunan masyarakat,
Sehingga pilar-pilar keadilan pun rapuh dan hancur bersatu bersama puing-puing kemanusiaan!

Orang mulia, tetap kucari… apakah Mereka yang terdiam di pojok bangunan Illahi,
Menggenggam untaian bulir-bulir sembari gerakkan bibir tiada henti,
Dan membaca lagu-lagu surgawi di ujung dan pertengahan hari?

Tertunduk kepala kita dan elu-elukan Mereka kaum yang suci,
Perantara antara dunia ini dan dunia nanti yang patut diikuti,
Namun ah, sayang, Mereka ‘tak berikan kedamaian hati yang sejati.

Kulihat banyak manusia mengungsikan diri dan hidup dalam ngeri,
Akibat dari kelompok-kelompok yang menghunus pedang dan belati,
'Tuk membasmi perbedaan pemahaman dan ideologi.

Tahukah engkau apa yang kulilhat?
Tirai demi tirai yang berlapis-lapis tutupi pandangan dan hati Mereka,
Bersibuk diri dalam pengasingan duniawi kala banyak yang membutuhkan pencerahan jiwa.
Dan sering Mereka memalingkan pandangan kepada anak-anak jalang dan wanita tanpa susila,
‘Tak bukakan hati, namun katakan mereka 'kan menjadi bahan bakar api di alam sana.

Ah, siapakah Mereka yang memberi harga kepada nyawa manusia?
Siapakah Mereka yang menerima bayaran untuk menghancurkan keadilan?
Siapakah Mereka yang menakar nilai dan menentukan nasib manusia di alam sana?

Kawan, mengapa yang ada hanyalah gelumbung-gelembung fana,
Berterbangan di dalam dunia yang ‘tak lebih dari bualan belaka?
Beritahulah aku, dapatkah engkau pertemukanku dengan orang mulia?


Sydney (UTS Computer Lab Building 2 Level 6), 2 November 2009 16.21

++ Abdi ++

Tahukah engkau [jalan] peng-abdi-an?

Bukanlah bertekad mati ‘mulia’ di bawah bendera pembelaan,
yang sebenarnya pemerangan terhadap mereka yang ‘tak sama;
Bukanlah lantang nyanyikan lagu pengobar semangat,
yang maknanya ‘tak sedikit pun engkau serapi dalam hati;
Bukanlah berapi-api ikrarkan rasa banggamu,
yang ‘tak kunjung terwujud dalam serpihan pun tindakan;
Bukanlah menempuh perjalanan ‘tuk berkumpul dengan kaummu,
yang ‘tak dibekali oleh ilmu dan tujuan yang pasti;
Dan bukanlah berbalut seragam penunjuk identitasmu,
yang sebenarnya adalah warisan nenek moyang pendahulumu.

Tahukah engkau [jalan] peng-abdi-an?

Adalah kerelaan untuk tapaki Jalan Hidup penuh liku dan pengorbanan:
Kebulatan tekadmu ‘tuk berbasuhkan keringat dalam segala upaya,
‘tuk membebaskan mereka yang tercekik rantai perbudakan;
Keikhlasanmu ‘tuk membagi hasil kebunmu ketika ranum berbuah,
‘tuk diberikan kepada mereka yang menjerit-jerit kelaparan di luar sana;
Kedermawananmu ‘tuk selalu tersenyum dan membuka pintu hatimu,
‘tuk memberikan kenyamanan kepada mereka yang ‘tak mengenal kasih sayang orang tua;
Kesediaanmu ‘tuk telusuri jalur sunyi nan gelam dengan lilin di tanganmu,
‘tuk terangi jalan bagi kaum terbuang yang hampir terputus harapan;
Dan tekad ‘tuk ‘tak tumbang dan senantiasa berteduh dalam naungan kesabaran,
ketika badai kesangsian dan gemuruh hujan hujatan menghadang jalanmu.

Itulah peng-abdi-an.
‘Tak membeda-bedakan antara warna, negara, maupun kepercayaan;
Namun dipersembahkan kepada seluruh umat manusia,
Dan semua makhluk yang diciptakan olehNya.


Sydney (UTS Computer Lab Building 2 Level 6), 2 November 13.32

++ Puppets ++

Puppets...
Tied by the strings of old traditions,
Controlled by shadows of the past,
Dancing along some foreign tunes,
Moving endlessly and unaware of,
The meanings of their existence...

And puppets are just puppets,
Such are slaves to their [unknown] masters,
Living not a world of their own,
But a play filled with irony and hypocrisy,
Where silence and blindness are the themes...

When the strings are cut, tell me,
What will become of these puppets?
Will they move on their own,
or will they be without power,
For none will determine for them?

So tell me, what will become of us?
The puppets... in a play we call -life-.

Sydney, 30 Oktober, 22:18 pm

++ Their Tale and Mine ++

It began when the wanderers of the desert,
Heard from the cold whispering wind,
A great tale distorted, of a noble prince,
Who once reigned over an ancient land.

Thus it was out of their [selfish] desire that,
It was eternalised by ink on paper,
To entertain the mind of the unlearned ones,
and be hailed the men of honor and knowledge.

Truly their pens defied them not,
For the written fascinated not just one or two,
But the whole kingdom and its neighbour,
And it became life for those who purchased it.

Ah, can they not see! They live by the tale,
Unaware that their present is just the past revisited?
And the future remains an empty canvas,
For the same colour to be repainted over.

Ah, can they not see the mirage from the oasis?
They wish to become the beloved prince alike,
But the tale they live is [truly] one of the fallen warriors,
From an enemy kingdom, disguised as the noble prince.

Woe, what then becomes of me?
I desire to paint over my life a thousand other colour,
To write my own tale with my heart as its ink,
My reason its paper and my belief its binder.

You see, I'm different from them - and perhaps, you,
Will you then brand rebel upon my forehead?
Will you severe my hands so I write not my own life?
Will you blind my vision so I find not my own path?

Do you know? I just wish to be me.
Leave me be.

Sydney, 22 Oktober 2009, 11.34