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
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