Indonesian Poetry

RRI, 06:00 WIB (Radio of the Republic of Indonesia, 06:00 West Indonesian Time)

: Attorney General Baharudin Lopa



They're over, the cheerful songs greeting the morning



I pour a glass of water, and drink it all

you're talking over there in the corner,

delivering the news

to us [listeners]

to [everybody]



An obituary pierces the morning dew



the sun jumps up suddenly

the bird stops singing

nature sorrows

silent

listen to the breeze whisper!

"soon, this dry soil will crack even more"



Another song is played again



I light a cigarette, blow the smoke

I see some people laugh, in the smoke

to joyfully welcome the bad news



Jakarta, 04072001