Afrizal Malna (1)

Asia Reads

The sun has freed itself of its adornment, yet we still face the same sky, the same land. Asia. After the gods have gone been fossilized in TV antennae, after times of destruction, which hearken back old tales from another world, words smell of gasoline. And we express ourselves trough a different set of clothes. Asia. Ships open markets, replacing dragons and oxen with petroleum. To take us where telephones are ringging.

There we crawl, in a contest of power. Silence takes over the roads at night. Asia. And then we bring in new adornments, new flags, different loves, to find that days exceed time; reading what may not to be read, writing what may not written.

The land glistens, catching the scent of man, saving us from all times. Asia. We understand once more the roar of the sea, the place to which the ancestors sent birds, created words. Asia is to be discovered, like night seeking alost plot of land; the place language is born.

Asia.

1985

translated byi John H. McGlynn

Asia Membaca

Matahari telah berlepasan dari dekor-dekornya. Dan kami masih hadapi langit yang sama, tanah yang sama. Asia. Setelah dewa-dewa pergi jadi batu dalam pesawat-pesawat TV; setelah waktu-waktu menghancurkan; dan cerita lama memanggil lagi dari negeri lain, setiap kata berbau bensin di stu. Kami terurai lagi lewat baju-baju baru. Asia. Kapal-kapal membuka pasar, mengganti naga sapi dengan minyak bumi.

Asia. Kami masuki dekor-dekor berbagai kekuatan, bendera-bendera baru, seks dan cinta yang lain lagi. Kota-kota dalam baju warna-warni. Mengantar pembiusan jadi jalan di malam hari. Asia.... Tempat membaca yang tak boleh dibaca, tempat menulis yang tak boleh ditulis.

Tanah berkaca-kaca, Asia, mencium bau manusia, Asia, menyimpan kami dari segala zaman, Asia. Tempat leluhur mencipta kata. Asia hanya ditemui, seperti mencari segumpal tanah yang hilang: Tempat bahasa dilahirkan.

Asia

1985

An English Lesson About the Weight of The Body

Pardon, how much is your body's weight? Just a moment, my head is cubic of sand. My hands are 60 cm. Excuse me, how many hours is your body's weight? My lips are thick. For sure, my feet are brown like the goverment building. How is your body's weight, Please. my name is Ahmad, you fool! No! My head is one cubic os sand. There is a gutter. Tears at the wash basin. Rain in a bucket, wait. Why are your hands hard? Like the power. You have culture, do you? Your face is red. Do you like tomato juice? Pardon. Who is your body's weight? My feet are there, you fool! Please... Please. Accompany my body. Not like that. A sack of sand for what? Sorry... where is your body's weight?. Pardon, don't hold my nose. Where's your beloved? Carrots and beans are already cooked. Excuse me, is that water already boiled? The cat's hair in your eye is funny, isn't it? Beautiful. Just wear that batik shirt. It will make my girlfriend suspisious. Don't forget, my name is Ahmad. Ugh, how can you do without soap? Ah, how come his ears are like that? Pardon, you ever saw your body's weight? Want to make an essay, do you? about Culture? A political and economic analysis, yes. Your hand will hurt, of course.

1995

translation by Marianne Koenig

Pelajaran Bahasa Inggris Tentang Berat Badan


Maaf, berapa berat badanmu? Sebentar saja, kepalaku satu kubik pasir. Tanganku 60 cm. Permisi, berapa jam berat badanmu? bibirku tebal. Tentu, kakiku coklat, seperti bangunan pemerintah. Berat badanmu bagaimana, please. Namaku Ahmad, tolol! No, kepalaku satu kubik pasir. Ada saluran got. Irisan daging di wastafel. Tunggu. Kenapa tanganmu keras? Seperti kekuasaan. Kamu punya kebudayaan, ya? Wajahmu merah. Anda suka juice tomat? Maaf. Berat badanmu siapa? Kakiku ada di situ, tolol! Please... please. temani badanku. Jangan begitu. Satu karung pasir untuk apa? Sorry... di mana berat badanmu? Maaf, jangan pegang

hidungku. Kekasihmu mana? Wortel dan buncis sudah direbus. Permisi, sudah mendidihkah air itu? Bulu kucing di matamu lucu, ya. Beautiful. Pakai saja baju batik itu. Nanti pacarku curiga. Jangan lupa, namaku Ahmad! Idiiiih, masa tidak pakai sabun. Aaaaaaa, kok kupingnya seperti itu? Maaf, pernah melihat berat badanku? Mau membuat esei, ya? Tentang kebudayaan? Analisa politik dan ekonomi, ya. Sakit, dong, tanganmu.


1995