Essay Poetry That Enriches and Expands the Treasury of Indonesian Literature
By Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Essay poetry is created by poets who recognize that art is not just for art’s sake, but must also carry political, economic, social, cultural, and religious content in a broad sense. Essay poetry itself stems from the realization that poetry is not merely for beauty, nostalgia, romance, and entertainment, but also has a broader social function: to encourage reflection, appreciation, awareness, and a role as a control, controller, and balance for human behavior and behavior in treating nature, humans, and even God.
At the very least, essay poetry aims to have a more beneficial meaning for the complex and intricate nature of human life, so that awareness, self-correction, and the pursuit of peace, solidarity, and concern for nature, humans, and the existence of God become serious concerns for many.
Just as stand-up comedy feels the need and legitimacy to enter the political realm—which should also be another habitat—it’s not merely an escape or a refresher, but rather a spiritual and intellectual journey, intended to be more beneficial and foster a new awareness that the horizons of knowledge, science, and insight must continue to grow and develop until they bear fruit and yield delicious fruit, even if not enjoyed by everyone.
What is certain is that the development of the literary world through the breakthrough of essay poetry should be welcomed by literary citizens, enriching and expanding the literary landscape so that it doesn’t become stagnant—feeling superior to other works of art, as is common among the egocentric behavior of activists and politicians in Indonesia who only seek to expand their own fortunes, without regard for the fortunes of others.
The essence of the existence of essay poetry is worthy and worthy of acceptance as a healthy literary development—not stagnant—building a territory of exploration from its own wanderings. Art never truly stops nor is it ever finished, because the true essence of a work of art is truly a “process of becoming,” which cannot deny the original nature of the creative essence itself as an innate nature in all forms of art.**
Banten, January 19, 2026
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