Emerging Malay Poets: Translations of Zulfadli Rashid, Sofia Nin and Hidayat Nordin by Annaliza Bakri

By , , and | 1 September 2023

… who will you elect? by Hidayat Nordin

on this earth, all is blind
the one-eyed man
is hailed as the king

some can be unearthed if inquired
could drown in poverty if probed
if you don’t want to be a destitute
just follow where you are led

on this parched earth
certainly, everyone is desirous

between dying of thirst
and consuming what is served
if the tongue tolerates bitterness
it will no longer desire for a ditch

on this earth, full of options
who will you elect
clothed in knowledge
or naked, even with a black collar worn?


… yang mana engkau pilih

atas bumi serba buta
si buta sebelah
tentu saja dianggap raja

ada terungkai kalau didalami
boleh sampai fakir kalau mencari
kalau tak ingin meraba miskin
ikut saja mana dipimpin

atas bumi kemarau
tentu sahaja semua berdahaga

antara mati kehausan
atau hirup saja apa disajikan
kalau lidah menanggung pahit
tekak tiada berterusan mendambakan parit

atas bumi penuh dengan pilihan
mana satu engkau ikutkan
berbusanakan ilmu
atau bertelanjang walau berkolar hitam?

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