Di depan pagar istana
Sultan termenung
di atas kereta kencana, tanpa kuda
memandangi hutan sialang
habis ditebang

Enam ekor rajawali
bersarang di kepalanya
mengasah pedang
bedil
meriam buntung

Tanpa serdadu
dan para pemburu
sebab kuda di gardu jaga
sudah menjelma arca
dari batu dan perunggu

Irama obituari
mengalun dari gramofon tua
menghibur anak cucu
seharian
di kuburan

Tikus liar dan serigala
bersarang di lancang tua
mengerat karat
menggali sumur
menambang liur

Di bawah gapura
Sultan menancapkan bunga
sambil menampung air mata
di cawan baja
mengutuk para pendosa

2010

IN FRONT OF THE PALACE

In front of the palace gate
Sultan musing
in the golden chariot, without horses
looking at the beehive forest
all cut out

Six black hawks
nesting on his head
sharpening sword
gun
lopped off cannon

Without soldiers
and hunters
because horses in the guardhouse
incarnated into statue
from stones and bronze

Obituary rhythm
playing from the old gramophone
entertaining children and grandchildren
all day long
in the graveyard

Wild rats and wolves
nesting in the old sail boat
gnawing rust
digging well
mining saliva

Underneath the gateway
Sultan implanting flowers
while saving tears
in a steel bowl
cursing the sinners

2010

Translated by Febby Fortinella