kassim ahamd 's poems : assembly of souls + dialogue / translated by mohamed haji salleh (TENGGARA 5 / 1969)

TENGGARA 5/ 1969
Dep. of English-Univ.of Malaya
Kuala Limpur /  Malaysia


                               kassim ahmad 's poems
                                               TRANSLATED BY MOHAMED HAJI SALLEH


                                                 ASSEMBLY OF SOULS   

                                                                I

                   there is a need to reassess one by one
                   now that we are mature
                   without god without dreams 
                   because tomorrow may be too late 
                   for the judgement that was postponed.

                   i am no cynic
                   call me no atheist 
                   my speech is from those who have                                                                  forgotten how to live   
                   the words are necessary 
                   lest we die from loss of speech.

                   if you believe in man in the state
                                                               of peace 
                   do not celebrate to rules 
                   (your victory) 
                   if you believe in the free man
                   do not take to law
                   (your loyalty) 
                   because there is no legitimate law 
                   (though it is enacted in the u.n.) 
                   that has no constitution in the heart.

                                      II

                   the most cruel news has arrived
                   for those who still live because 
                                                   they still hope
                   this world id a prison
                   our rice shall be sufficient in paradise. 
                   we have traded this life 
                   on the Devil's back 
                   the laughter and the sneakers giggles
                                               are not of happiness
                   they are the laughter and giggles of the                                                                             destitute.

                  all souls will assemble to discuss
                  what your children eat today 
                  rise or beer
                  the laughter is false, the cries voiceless.

                                      III

                  the torch from the high minaret 
                  shall die by itself
                  because man is progressively drunk 
                  and God is dead.


                            DIALOGUE
                                                (for my Mother)

                                       I

                  be calm now my son 
                  through our field is flooded
                  this rain is from God 
                  who pours dawn his blessings  

                  day will come, shall it not be bright
                  listen 
                  the frogs have stopped calling 
                  tomorrow is a bright day 
                  our padi will rippen !

                                       II

                  go to sleep now, mother  
                  we are frail beings 
                  struggling through the days 
                  and worrying the nights

                 there is the day, there must be sun
                 i will go 
                 with a thousand Jebats of the peasantry 
                 we have long been dead in loyalty
                 now will live in defiance .

                        KASSIM AHMAD
                                                                (SRI LANKA)
                        (p. 31- 55 TENGGARA 5/ 1969)


about the author

 KASSIM AHMAD was born in Alor in 1933.  He gained his M.A. at the University of Malaya in 1961 and was for two yearsa Research Officer with the Dewan Bahassa dan Pustaka.  From 1963-1965 Kassim lectured in the School of Oriental ad African Studies, Unviversity of London.  Kassim is at present the President of Partai Raykar Malaya.  He has edited Kisah Pelayarn Abdullah, and Hikayat Hang Tuah and has published a critical a book of poems and short stories Kemarau Di-Lembah.   (TENGGARA 'S CONTRIBUTORS)

TENGGARA 5/   1969