Republik Puitik Poetry Anthology
By Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak
MY POEM WRITES INDONESIA IS GETTING DARKER
My poem writes
Indonesia is getting darker
in front of the people’s mirror
taking to the streets
carrying a black flag
in the right hand
roots of bitterness
painted in the rain
due to rising food prices
scarcity of artificial gas
random layoffs
millions of people
lose their jobs
children no longer sit quietly
in school
hunger begins to be conveyed
through songs
street children
school children
promised a highly nutritious
healthy and free lunch
launched from the mouth of the clouds
become mass poisoning
paid without money
paid off with state debt
My poem writes
Indonesia is getting darker
sold by the ocean
mortgaged by an artificial sky
twin lighthouse project
injected with fire by corruptors
money-minded
1,700 trillion
with wild caning punishment
fines the lightest
Where do you want to carry it
if my country is divided-
without tears
spurting blood
in a land that is not yet free?
A hundred days can only be climbed by the sun
with repeated insults
it will surely happen
wash your blood, my Indonesia
with a humble spirit
to achieve one word
eternal victory
until finally
slowly without resilience
this republic will die
swallowed by the earth’s mouth
heartache
Jakarta, Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Biodata:
Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak, born in Surabaya on June 20, 1961. Hundreds of his poems have been published in 7 solo poetry anthologies and 50 collaborative poetry anthologies with poets throughout Indonesia. From 1980 to 2025, his poems have appeared in 23 print media (daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, and magazines), and have been published in approximately 300 online media (websites) and digital magazines. His poetry has also been published internationally, including in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Bangladesh, and India. He is frequently invited to read poetry at the Jakarta Arts Center (PKJ) Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) Jakarta, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), Balai Pustaka Literature Cafe, and several literary community venues in the Greater Jakarta area.
His poems, “Writing Poetry for the President Episode Two” and “Stone Meditation,” have been created into poetic songs set to classical music by composer and pianist Ananda Sukarlan. The poem “Stone Meditation” premiered through composer Ananda Sukarlan’s poetic song, performed by Zoe Hong Yee Huay, a mezzo-soprano from Malaysia, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, England, in March 2025.
Works as a journalist and resides in Pamulang, South Tangerang City, Indonesia.
Contact: 08561827332 (WA)
Social Media:
Facebook: Bro
Instagram: Lasman Simanjuntak
Tik Tok: Lasman Simanjuntak
YouTube: Lasman TV
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Contributor: Flora Kolondam
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