ENGLISH POEMS
Sugeng
Purwanto
Introduction People of modern civilization and technological advancement may forget that they were born to the world by means of love implanted into the two opposite “selves”, who have been united in a sacred wed-lock (some may be not), as revealed below: Once Two God Messengers Adam and Eva Perched on earth from heaven To “fight” with love and joy Both Are too strong to defeat Each other that they Die And sleep with One on top of the other Till Morning wakes them up and Say “Hello” This is just the beginning of all; and to date, billions of people live in this planet for a contract of life prior to their departure to another life prepared for judgement: true-false; right-wrong, all depend on how we get along with other people and the environment. Now, enjoy the poems before prohibition is imposed on reading the beauty of words—engineered in genres of literature Semarang, Indonesia Sugeng Purwanto, the Poet
2
How Long Can I Stay This Way, My Love?
I am not the one you can forget In a minute date, Nor is the one you will have to let Know the room rate, I love you with all my heart and soul‌ Never will a single day go as a whole Without thinking of Pleasing you, Caressing you From your hat down to the shoe, From your lip down to the hip, But, Then, I always worry about the tip.
Purwanto (2007)
3
(If It Is, Anyway) Hold me tight, and never let me cry So I can feel the heat of your heart Beating on and off, up the sky we fly Neither life nor death shall do us apart Like a two headed snake, My face turned left and right And so did yours, wildly‌. The two of us moaned aloud To feel the joy , Of wedding night. (If it is, anyway)
Purwanto (2007)
4
Fly Up Your Bras! Fly up your bras, all hookers 1 Young and old alike, For all parliamentary lobbies shall be on hold, Without your funky faces and services around For all business lobbies shall not run on, Without your funky faces and services around So important are you That men cannot go without But which men, my God? Those who happen To have wives who forget To be mothers to their children To be wives to their husbands (Ssst. What are you looking for, Moms?)
Purwanto (2007)
1
Inspired by WS. Rendra
5
A Lover’s Advices
—For my sweetheart, To have everlasting love between us, my dear, Is to say my name every single meal you have Every bath you take, and Every moment you go to bed, (for I will be around) And to you, my man! To have everlasting love Is to give your money, every day And return home from Every journey To let me know Where you were, with whom And what you did. (for I need to know if you are fooling around) Purwanto (2007)
6
What Are We Proud of?
Bang !!! A gigantic building was ruined into pieces A storied building of American pride Money and dignity Where were, Those in charge Of security assurance. Yes, it’s World Trade Centre, A place where hundreds, Or even thousands, millions Of people were working For bread to win And on the ruined ground floor, Of ‘was’ WTC Buried dead, Babies and small children (assumed it was the Day Care Center) Purwanto (2007)
7
To an Angle with Love, I know that I am a man of fact who Has nothing to be proud of Who had suffered a lot During his childhood Of contempt and Mocks. Can I just say That only you I love? Though I mean nothing to you, You are everything to me. (“No way, Man� a gentle voice whispered)
(Purwanto, 2008)
8
A Morning Attack of Joy
I was Half awake, When he asked for Another round Of heaven’s joy “Again?” I asked; No verbal response I heard Instead, he mounted me And rocked me To have one “come” After another “You’re great!” “Ssst… the cam is still on” “What???” (Purwanto, 2008)
9
A Whisper of Love
Never did I feel so lonely As you were married to another guy Of your Mom’s choice. My heart broke and so did yours. Nothing, we could do But, A week before the wedding of yours, The two of us lay exhausted, you whispered “I love you.” and, left me in bed, Alone, without anything on.
Purwanto (2007)
10
The Grounds for Love
The ground for love, Is not beauty nor wealth Nor anything worth on earth But, Two hearts would meet And start‌ One missed, another found! One found, another missed! Both found; there you are! So easy (as it is), And so hard as it may be, That no money can buy Purwanto, (2004)
11
Not Everything, but Nothing
She’s not everything! Yes, but everything without her is nothing He’s not everything! Yes, but everything without him is nothing Love’s not everything! Yes, but everything without love is nothing Money’s not everything! Yes, but everything without money is nothing Sex’s not everything Yes, but everything without sex is nothing Size’s not everything! Then, it is like a swimming fish, nothing!
Purwanto (2008)
12
The One Supreme 2 Say and Tell everyone On earth. About One, and only one God ever believed in by All mankind of all time, of all kinds No son of Him, let alone a daughter He’s not the son of an angel, let alone Of mankind, He’s alone to govern the universe And everything on it He’s the One Supreme Government; And Sole Owner of The Day of Judgement The Doomsday The Day where No one can help Even him or herself: To Him shall all return!
Purwanto (2006)
2
Inspired by Al Ikhlas of the Holy Koran
13
Innocence
‘Like this?’ ‘No wider apart’ ‘Does it hurt?’ ‘For a start’ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Sure!’ The legend continues…. Blood…bleeding….blood For lucky wedded Or blood having been ‘donored’ Else where
(Purwanto, 2009)
14
Love Me Tender
Love me tender Over anything on earth Vow not to love Every other woman you Meet, nor to take Every other chance of fooling around Just To avoid my kisses with Efforts. Now, you are mine. Don’t you know that? Every moment, be Ready, I’m all yours Begged my wife in vain.
Purwanto 2009
15
I am almost there!!
Rock Rock…rock Rock…and…rock And Rock Rock…rock…rock Come on faster; I am almost there! Yes! I come Me, too. All calm, no voices, no sounds All dead in an after glow Of love-making
(Purwanto, 2009)
16
Love Is Blind
When The door opened My wife grabbed me, kissed me Wildly And pulled me inside The house She said “Quickly, darling… My husband has just gone out.” “What?”
(Purwanto, 2010)
17
Indonesian Police
“What are you doing here, Officer?” Asked a tourist in Indonesia. “The traffic lights are OK.” “That’s right.” “People are OK, too.” “It seems so.” “What do you mean?” “We play hide and seek.” “I don’t understand.” “Stay here, I will go, and you’ll learn something.”
(Purwanto, 2010)
18
Go to Hell with Aids
Give your love to Only one wife, yes! To your steady spouse Or you will be in danger of dying Harder and harder Every moment it develops Love and Lusts grow hand in hand Without limit It is human nature that Tries to test your Heartfelt sincerity to form A stronger family unity In diversity. Don’t you realize that Sex shall be ruled, not let go ease. (Purwanto, 2010)
19
Not Wealth Nor Beauty
Tell not the wealth You have accumulated Nor the beauty You have been labelled of But how devoted you are To the Owner of the Day Of judgement For upon the death, Something most you are afraid of Everything is gone forever. Never is there a single way to Protect you from it; Even the best doctor on earth All leave you alone In a dark tomb with nothing else But your righteous deeds
(Purwanto, 2010)
20
The Power of God
“Where are those Arrogant human species On earth?” Shouted a loud voice Challenging “Where are those Sex traders who sell Beauty for money?” Shouted another loud voice Mocking “Where are those wolves, And crazy flirters who let Lusts go uncontrolled?” Still another loud voice shouted With anger. Tell, if any Greater than the Power Of God?
(Purwanto, 2010)
21
A Tiny Spirit
“Tell me who Thy God…” “It is You,” said a spirit Ready to enter the half-created Creature in the womb Of a woman But man forgets Except those under The guidance of God Man forgets his origin, Where he came from Why he was created as such And to where he shall return
(Purwanto, 2010)
22
The Day of Judgement
On the Day of Judgement Mouths shut Ears talk on what they have listened Eyes talk on what they have witnessed Breasts talk on what they have been used Stomachs talk on what food to eat Dicks talk … Cunts talk… Limbs talk … No lies hidden Everything talks But the mouth! No lawyers Can defend, Lawyers need lawyers
(Purwanto, 2010)
23
O’ Allah,
O’ Allah, Ye The Merciful, the beneficent The King of the Day of Judgement To Ye we pray and from Ye We ask for help So guide us to the straight path, The path Ye favour Not that makes thee Drive us to Hell.
(Purwanto, 2010)
24
Many Ways to Rome
If ever held a survey On man of perfection Who can unite mankind Under one roof Truth All respondents shall vote: Muhammad for Moslem Jesus Christ for Christian Another for another Still another for another Surely many ways to Rome But you can take only one way The way you trust, but Never please take The foolish way.
(Purwanto, 2010)
25
Love
Every where We’re both together. Crying We’re both together. Laughing We’re both together To promise to love forever But, what happens, next Everything you don’t care And the most hurting moment Is to see you are fucking around With another…and another just Before my eyes Oh, love. So easy is a promise made So easy is it broken. (Purwanto, 2010)
26
Get Paid To Love
Why bother To see your angry wife Asking for one thing After another? Just drive your car To a rendezvous Where you can choose A line of ‘wives’. Take one and fuck around But, Don’t forget to pay
(Purwanto, 2010)
27
Love
Love is When two hearts meet, and When two bodies Of different genital organs United into one Both perform Rhythmic movements— Up and down, Side by side One on top of the other Slow at first Than faster and faster Till both die out To sleep
(Purwanto, 2010)
28
No Blood
“Are you ready for a battle?” Asked my lover. “A battle of what? A bloody battle? “No, there’ll be no blood.” “Why not?” “You are the third.” “Who was the first?” “A high school mate!” “And the second? “My Math teacher!” “OK. Let’s fight!” “Now?” “Yes, now. Tomorrow will be For the fourth.”
(Purwanto, 2010)
29
How?
How? Not how but vow. Vow that you Believe in God, and Perform righteous deeds Yes, how? Do it now, not how. But I don’t know how. Ask anyone Who knows how.
(Purwanto, 2010)
30
No Body Is Free
The rich shall be asked How they get wealth And how they spend wealth Wealth can lead both to Heaven And hell; depending on The response to each question On wealth The poor is no exception But not about wealth: No wealth he owns He has faith. Whether nor not It goes astray For poverty
(Purwanto, 2010)
31
More Than I Can Say
“I love you more than I can say,” It’s a line of a song lyric. “I do more than I can say,” He is a hard worker. “I give more than I can say,” He is generous. But, If you ask me more than I can say, You kill me slowly.
(Purwanto, 2010)
32
Happiest Vs Unhappiest
“Who is the happiest man on earth?” Asked a teacher “A lot of money?” “No.” “So what?” “To have a Japanese wife, American salary, and Chinese food.” “Who is the unhappiest man on earth?” Asked a student “To have an American wife, Chinese salary, and Japanese food, but remember It’s a private conversation” “I agree, Sir.”
(Purwanto, 2010)
33
Behind My Back
“Behind my back, You talked about me You said I was a bad husband, You said I never gave you money, You said I never touched you, You said I wasn’t at all romantic.” Protested a husband. “And are you?” Asked his wife. “I am not, anyway.”
(Purwanto, 2010)
34
Greener
“Neighbours’ grass Is always greener.” Claimed a philosopher. “You see your neighbour Buy something new, you get sick To hate why you can’t do it.” Claimed another philosopher. “When you are hospitalized, You are pinned down to death To hear someone say That your neighbour is Fooling around with your wife.” Cursed a philosopher.
(Purwanto, 2010)
35
Do you know?
The foolish people don’t know That they do not know The clever people know That they don’t know Therefore they learn to know What they don’t know The foolish people don’t know That they know Till others tell that they know No creativity equals foolishness “I know that you don’t know what I know.” “I don’t know that you know what I don’t know.” “I know that you know what I know.” “I know that you know what I don’t know.” “I don’t know that you don’t know what I know.” By the way, do you know?
(Purwanto, 2010)
36
Living
Man lives in a system Of bi-function Day and night Males and females Rich and poor Yes and no. What if Day without night Night without day Males without females Females without males Everyone is rich And none is poor Everyone says “Yes.” And everyone says “No.” For sure The world would Come to an end Any minutes
(Purwanto, 2010)
37
Death
The moment must come The most frightening one. When an angel upon order of God Comes to take your life No one can prevent you from Death Nor can your wealth buy To postpone, let alone Cancel Two ways of dying All left to your deeds Righteous Or evil Those with righteous deeds, Life is pulled Like a hair out of Powder But those with evil deeds, Life is pulled Like a silk fibre out of A thorn
(Purwanto, 2010)
38
I Must Thank Him
“Oh no! He’s with his God.” She continued to sleep “On no! He’s with his God.” “Oh no! He’s with his God.” She continued to sleep “On no! He’s with his God.” “Oh no! He’s with his God.” She continued to sleep “On no! He’s with his God.” “Oh, the Messenger Of God, don’t you know You have been released Of all sins The past, the present, and The future?” “That’s why I must thank Him
(Purwanto, 2010)
39
Arab Vs American
“Hi Arabic people, Don’t be arrogant, for Without my technology, You, guys, are still riding camels.” Shouted an American soldier In the Gulf War! “Hi American people Don’t be arrogant, either For without my oil, You, guys, are still riding horses. Argued an Arabic soldier Full of pride: but for what? Who the hell care!!
(Purwanto, 2010)
40
A Tiny Share
Approved of by God the Almighty A tiny share of Heaven’s joys: Sex ! With which you can go to Heaven And with which you can go to Hell. Left to you, which path you would take For, Life here is a matter of choice; But determines The next life, after death Where nothing can be done Except awaiting The Day of Judgement
(Purwanto, 2010)
41
Of Eden
We went around, The beautiful park of Eden Kisses, hugs were shared Between us, The two of us Who is the third? A Satan Who whispered words Of evil deeds—illegal sex Illegal sex and Illegal sex—which Had thrown both of us To the world
(Purwanto, 2010)
42
Talk Less; Do More
“Talk less, do more!” “Talk less, do more!” “Talk less, do more!” Emphasized a politician in one Of the campaigns “Yes. But, what is that?” “How is that?” Cheered a group Of political supporters “Smoking” “Yes, smoking: talk less, do more.” “Oh, that’s a smoking campaign.” All went home in despair.
(Purwanto, 2010)
43
Stuck To Each Other
Ask your vocabulary teacher, The difference between love And jealousy If any, Sure not!! No love without jealousy No jealousy without love Love and jealousy Stuck to each other Like a politician to Rhetoric
(Purwanto, 2010)
44
What Do You Have?
Roses with their thorns Bees with their stings Lovers with their lies What do you have? To protect you From ease of talks From danger of tongue “God, why is A tongue sharper Than a sword?� Asked a philosopher To himself To herself, thinking.
(Purwanto, 2010)
45
Click Here
Click here For your instant access To the world of love If any ‌ though. Click here For another access To nowhere But here, Right here in my arms, In my warm arms, Tender caresses And much more‌
(Purwanto, 2010)
46
Another Battle
On return from a battlefield Full of bullets shooting around With deaths after deaths Of his friends And now, with victory in his hand‌ Home his wife was waiting For another Romantic battle field
(Purwanto, 2010)
47
Blocked
Blocked Among walls of wood Right on her nose stood a man with a knife. Asking for ‘pleasure’ with a threat “OK, pleasure granted,” the woman sighed (When things were over, She grabbed the knife, threatening…. “Again or you’re dead” “What?”)
(Purwanto, 2010)
48
“Too Fast,” You Said.
“You were speeding…” shouted a policewoman. “Was I ?” “Yes, over the speed limit; I’ll give you a ticket.” “OK, was it too fast….?” “Yes.” “So you like kind o’ slow or something?” “Go to hell with your dick!” “OK. I’m gonna shoot you one day!” “Go to hell with your priceless dick!”
(Purwanto, 2010)
49
Say That You Love Me
Say that you love me For thousand times Till I believe And let mine inside Yours In and out and in again Again and again That’s what Everyone is for On earth.
(Purwanto, 2010)
50
Written on Borad
Written on board Of a female dorm “Much money, a good boy… “No money, good bye.” Written on board Of a male dorm “Service, first “Money comes, later… “If any.”
(Purwanto, 2010)
51