MASK

Masks

Masks

Masks

We talk with the President, wearing masks

We talk with the Commander in Chief, wearing a mask

We talk with the village head, wearing masks

We say “good morning’ in class, wearing masks

We even talk with our own shadows, wearing masks

So when shall we take off the masks?

We telephone kings wearing masks

We write letters to the regent, wearing masks

We seek approval from our future in-laws, wearing masks

We attack other states wearing masks

So when shall we throw away masks?

We shake hands wearing masks

We take leave wearing masks

And we say good evening wearing masks

We even fall in love wearing masks

So when shall we burn masks?

It’s only when we go to the mosque that we don’t wear masks

Only in church that we don’t wear masks

Only at the temple, that we don’t wear masks

Only when we go to the synagogue that we don’t wear masks

It’s only when we go to the orphanage that we can wear masks

Because God and orphans do not have masks

by Anton Alimin ( I wrote this poem as soon as I got back to my room at The` Hyatt in Bandung from 'The Orphanage Bayi Sehat').

Translated by Simon Williams

 
Anton read the Indonesian language & Bev read the English language! Cheltenham Library in September 2012.

TOPENG

Topeng

Topeng

Topeng

KIta bicara dengan presiden pakai topeng

Kita bicara dengan panglima pakai topeng

Kita bicara dengan lurah pakai topeng

Kita bilang ‘Selamat pagi’ di kelas pakai topeng

Kita bicara dengan bayang-bayang sendiripun pakai topeng

Kapan ya kita copot tampa topeng?

Kita tilpon raja pakai topeng

Kita menulis surat ke bupati pakai topeng

Kita melamar ke calon mertua pakai topeng

Kita menyerbu negara lain pakai topeng

Kapan ya kita buang topeng?

Kita jabatan tangan pakai topeng

Kita pamitan pakai topeng

Kita bilang selamat malampun pakai topeng

Kita bercintapun pakai topeng

Kapan ya kita bakar topeng?

Hanya ke mesjid kita gak pakai topeng

Hanya ke gereja kita gak pakai topeng

Hanya ke kuil kita gak pakai topeng

Hanya ke sinagog kita gak pakai topeng

Hanya ke rumah yatim piatu kita bisa pakai topeng

Karena Tuhan dan anak-anak yatim piatu gak ada topeng!