One Alone

Formed in your heart, this was your will:
Rain in cataracts, hurricanes unleashed,
All foundering, engulfed—
Your luxuriant garden now a mere ruin.

Puny folk sent helter-skelter
Run, leap, tumble, duck,
Waters ever rising … rising,
Primeval trees uprooted, toppled.

Clamorous cries muffled … then lost
Within the thunderous tumult.
Lightning flashes cleave the gloom
Flickering high like tongues of flame.

The ark is launched and, floating up,
Shelters your beloved Noah.
Delivered into boundless freedom
His voice is calm amid the anguish.

//

A pair of shepherds crowned with grace,
Fair sons of Father Abraham:
Two light rays from a single diamond
Though born of different mothers.

Dispute divides us to this day
Over which of the two holds the treasure.
Our most cunning jewellers, down the ages,
Have neglected to leave an appraisal.

Alas, my beloved,
It’s all no use to me.
I wait on One alone—
Longing to feel you near
Like Moses on the heights of Sinai.

Hanya Satu

Timbul niat dalam kalbumu:
Terban hujan, ungkai badai
Terendam karam
Runtuh ripuk tamanmu rampak

Manusia kecil lintang pukang
Lari terbang jatuh duduk
Air naik tetap terus
Tumbang bungkar pokok purba

Teriak riuh redam terbelam
Dalam gegap gempita guruh
Kilau kilat membelah gelap
Lidah api menjulang tinggi

Terapung naik jung bertudung
Tempat berteduh Nuh kekasihmu
Bebas lepas lelang lapang
Di tengah gelisah, swara sentosa

//

Bersemayam sempana di jemala gembala
Juriat jelita bapakku Ibrahim
Keturunan intan dua cahaya
Pancaran putra berlainan bunda

Kini kami bertikai pangkai
Di antara dua, mana mutiara
Jauhari ahli lalai menilai
Lengah langsung melewat abad

Aduh kekasihku
Padaku semua tiada berguna
Hanya satu kutunggu hasrat
Merasa dikau dekat rapat
Serupa Musa di puncak Tursina.