Noktah Itu (That Dot) by Rosli K Matari for me like a lighthouse on an island that its bright light make us forget how beutiful of its panorama. Hanya Langit Meratap (Only Sky Grief*) like that island.
That Dot had been written by Rosli not just as a brilliant poet, but also he was a teacher to Rahimidin Zahari. It was their story begun from the early age; Rosli as a young teacher and Rahimidin as a student. They bound together to be closed friend ever until Rahimidin died on Thursday afternoon, May 14th this year after suffered a severe stroke. Because of that, That Dot has a soul of history, friendship and brotherhood which to some extend would not happen to other poets as far as Malay literary concern.
Certainly, I could not translated this poem as good as the original one not just because the limit of my language and ability, but because that friendship and brotherhood which bound those two poets of par excellence. But it not hurt to try to translate both poems from Rosli and Rahimidin.
And the second poem is taken from Rahimidin last book, Sehelai Daun Kenangan (A Piece of Memory Leaf*). This title will be at a special place forever, insya-Allah.
That Dot
(Remembering Allahyarham Rahimidin Zahari)
by Rosli K Matari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
1
I recall you
who came with letters
incomplete to spell
frangipani.
2
Still you were ready
with a dot
at the tip of leaf,
because the leaves shall shed.
In ink there is letters
in letters there is a soul
in soul, the pool is calm
sky, as well as waves.
Don't confuse ink
to the clouds, I said
because love of the sky
is white, blue.
Sadly red, yellow
but its soul
has others
gray, black.
You chose dawn, but I teached
you to stare at horizon,
there is another meaning
why sun has to set.
You must know
why there aren't different
light and life,
dot with a shadow.
3
Now, between dusk
frangipani and your gravestone,
I recall you
in my tears.
Among horizon
and your tombstone,
it is not easy for me to imagine
a drop of dot.
Tok Canggah Cemetery,
Peringat
A Piece of Memory Leaf
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
trees leap
looking for spring
at the edge of village
but the village had long
burnt - no
spring from bowels of the earth
villagers became invisible
disappeared behind a wave of cloud -
leaving only a name and
shadow also a piece
of memory leaf.
October 2014
*not translated
That Dot had been written by Rosli not just as a brilliant poet, but also he was a teacher to Rahimidin Zahari. It was their story begun from the early age; Rosli as a young teacher and Rahimidin as a student. They bound together to be closed friend ever until Rahimidin died on Thursday afternoon, May 14th this year after suffered a severe stroke. Because of that, That Dot has a soul of history, friendship and brotherhood which to some extend would not happen to other poets as far as Malay literary concern.
Certainly, I could not translated this poem as good as the original one not just because the limit of my language and ability, but because that friendship and brotherhood which bound those two poets of par excellence. But it not hurt to try to translate both poems from Rosli and Rahimidin.
And the second poem is taken from Rahimidin last book, Sehelai Daun Kenangan (A Piece of Memory Leaf*). This title will be at a special place forever, insya-Allah.
That Dot
(Remembering Allahyarham Rahimidin Zahari)
by Rosli K Matari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
1
I recall you
who came with letters
incomplete to spell
frangipani.
2
Still you were ready
with a dot
at the tip of leaf,
because the leaves shall shed.
In ink there is letters
in letters there is a soul
in soul, the pool is calm
sky, as well as waves.
Don't confuse ink
to the clouds, I said
because love of the sky
is white, blue.
Sadly red, yellow
but its soul
has others
gray, black.
You chose dawn, but I teached
you to stare at horizon,
there is another meaning
why sun has to set.
You must know
why there aren't different
light and life,
dot with a shadow.
3
Now, between dusk
frangipani and your gravestone,
I recall you
in my tears.
Among horizon
and your tombstone,
it is not easy for me to imagine
a drop of dot.
Tok Canggah Cemetery,
Peringat
A Piece of Memory Leaf
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
trees leap
looking for spring
at the edge of village
but the village had long
burnt - no
spring from bowels of the earth
villagers became invisible
disappeared behind a wave of cloud -
leaving only a name and
shadow also a piece
of memory leaf.
October 2014
*not translated
No comments:
Post a Comment