The wastebasket and other poems
by Inggit Putria Marga
Translated from Indonesian into English by Sebastian Partogi
Keranjang Sampah
ia menerima yang kita buang ke dalam dirinya
bukan sebab amat sayang pada kita, melainkan
sekadar menunaikan tugasnya. kita datang padanya bukan karena mencintainya, tapi lantaran ingin bebas dari segala yang tersimpan, yang perlahan (tanpa sanggup kita tahan) bersalin jadi beban. lantas,
jika di setiap pertemuan, untuknya dirinya dan untuk kita diri kita, perjumpaan masihkah ada makna?
The wastebasket
it welcomes what we throw with open arms
not because it loves us, it is
merely performing its function. we come to it not because we love it, but for our desire to free ourselves from all we contain within us, which slowly (without forbearance) we carry as a burden. and some,
if in each encounter, to its own self and to our own selves, do these encounters still have meaning at all?
Pekarangan
semua tanaman penghuni pekarangan sama di hadapan hujan. tak pernah ia memilah siapa layak kering, siapa layak kuyup. ia sentuh kaku daun-daun perdu, rebah
di petal bunga, lembut mengecup pucuk-pucuk rumput.
begitupun di hadapan pemilik pekarangan,
semua tanaman sama basah. basah perdu dan herba karena pupuk cair. kuyup rumput sebab racun gulma.
The Yard
each plant in the yard is equal in the face of rain. the rain does not distinguish who deserves the arid, and who deserves the water. it touches the stiff leaves of the shrubs, it lays itself down
in the petals, kisses the blades of grass in tenderness,
likewise, in the face of the owner of the yard,
each plant will be wet. the shrubs and herbs drenched in liquid fertiliser. the grass is soaked, absorbing in the poison of the weed.
Serumpun Serai
tepi tajam ujung runcing, rimbun tertanam bagai hendak menikam langit bening. terurai meski tumbuh tunggal, tunggal walau gampang tercerai. helai-helai lemas tubuh serai-yang bahkan kaki capung sanggup membuatnya runduk lunglai-adalah peti keramat sang penyihir. di sana tersimpan ramuan rahasia penyebab nyamuk, batuk, pegal dan linu manusia terusir
sebagai rumpun, serai-serai tumbuh rampak
berbagi hara dan air dari tanah yang sama tak pernah berebut cahaya, sebab mereka percaya, matahari tahu bagaimana menabur sinarnya. bila angin melintas sepoi atau kencang, mereka serentak bergoyang
seperti panji-panji berkibar di medan perang.
di rumpun yang sesak, serai berbiak
tak congkak meski zat-zat tubuhnya melebihi nilai seonggok perak. tak menolak bila pagi berkabut mengantar maut, bila sebatang serai dalam rumpun
ada yang mesti tercerabut.
A Bundle of Lemongrass
their tip of their leaves sharp, lushly planted as if ready to pierce the clear sky. unraveling although they grow in unity, united although easily disintegrating. the limp strands of the lemongrass’ body – bowing at the feet of the dragonfly – is the witch’s sacred coffin. there lies a secret concoction repelling mosquitoes, coughs, human stiffness and aches
as a bundle, the lemongrass grows harmoniously
sharing nutrients and water from the same soil which never competes for the light, because they believe, the sun knows exactly how to sow its ray. if the wind passes through gently or strongly, they will move in synchrony
like flags waving on the battlefield.
amid a dense bundle, lemongrass multiplies
without arrogance, although its elements more valuable than a piece of silver. surrendering to the misty morning that brings death along, if perhaps a stem of lemongrass in the field
must be plucked.
Inggit Putria Marga writes poetry. She has published a number of works in the national media and has two poetry publications: Penyeret Babi (Anahata, 2010), Empedu Tanah (GPU, 2020)
Thank you to Sebastian Partogi for translating Inggit’s poety.