Enjoying Leni Marlina’s Inspiring and Enlightening Poetry
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
The Provincial Government in Indonesia that seems to give good and good appreciation to literary works and writers, it seems that there are not many, except for West Sumatra. The Third International Minang Kabau Literacy Festival (IMLF-3) is certainly not easy and not cheap. Meanwhile, today all agencies – not only those that depend on the government – are carrying out budget efficiency, due to the economic conditions that have not recovered.
Leni Marlina was named the 2025 Outstanding Writer with Ramli Djafar. The title that was pinned on them – as a profilic writer – is not only because they are members of SatuPena, West Sumatra who are active and persistent in writing literature through various media.
The IMLF-3 event has been held for the third time, first in 2023, and in 2024, then now, in 2025. The results of the mutual cooperation of the ILMF organization as carried out in the third edition on May 8-12, 2025 involved various parties led by SatuPena West Sumatra, a kind of Indonesian Writers Association of West Sumatra as the initiator. Then the good intermediaries from the Denny JA Foundation who positioned themselves as the funders as well as moral and perhaps also spiritual strength. There was even support from Sumber Talenta Indonesia, Amin Foundation, the Regional Government of West Sumatra Province and the Padang City Government and the Bukit Tinggi City Government.
Listening to the togetherness of a number of supporting agencies and intermediaries in this big event, really gave rise to feelings of envy and jealousy, because from the local government in our place — it was not as fun and exciting as what the government in West Sumatra did.
This multi-sector collaboration for one theme Words Without Walls: Language, Literature and Culture for Peace needs to be further expanded and encouraged so that it can provoke other regions that are sluggish and limp to be active in the field of writing that is more diverse in nature and form, not just literature or poetry. Because to build awareness and intelligence of all the nation’s children can also be realized through articles, short stories, literary criticism and social criticism and others, so that the habitat of writing can cover the entire spectrum of science, knowledge and experience that can lead the children of the Indonesian nation towards a future that is increasingly challenging.
Therefore, for example, an award for social media or digital media that has contributed to the activities and enthusiasm for carrying literary works with all types and forms, deserves a proper award too. A number of Leni Marlina’s works can also receive a clear profile title because of the services of online media or other types of media that are no less great in their services and heroic ethos in the world of national libraries that are drying up and barren, like Ebiet G. Ade’s metaphor.
The works of a lecturer and quite productive poet are indeed numerous and not a few that can be enjoyed — at least in pumping up ideas and enthusiasm to be actively involved and continue writing even though there is almost no reward in financial form. Like his work entitled “Behind Mother’s Smile”, “Rahim Yang Menggugurkan Batu” which reminds of a number of other Indonesian female poets, Toeti Heraty, Hera Kundang, Dewi Lestari, Dhorothea Rosa Herliany and Denok Kristianti who had appeared and now seem to be drowning in their own self-indulgence. But Leni Marlina’s work which voices the whispers of women is also tinged in “Mawar Hati”…. My mother, infiltrating the wind that gently caresses, reminds me of your pure love….
That is the description of her poem written 16 years ago in Baso, Agam, West Sumatra. This means that Leni Marlina has been writing poetry for quite a long time. It’s just that publications have not been optimally utilized. It’s a different story if the poem itself is to be used as a child of seclusion, or like the tradition of classical Chinese poets, according to the completion of writing her work then she is washed away in the river. Like the impact of the tradition of classical Japanese poets as part of the ancient poetry ritual, because in that way the message in the poem will be united with nature. It is truly sacred and very full of spiritual values.**
Banten, June 18, 2025
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