Coffin 152...

Keranda 152

Anak Melayu
Panas dadamu membakar baju
Kita arak keranda 152
Ke tanah perkuburannya Parlimen

Sepuluh tanah nafas ini terhenti
Hari ini jangan lagi menyanyi

Sebentar lagi malam akan tiba
Tiap pintu dan jendela sudah dijaga
Bayang-bayang tidak bisa lewat jalan raya

Anak Melayu
Namamu telah diseru
Jawablah
Sebelum lidahmu jadi bisu

-Usman Awang 1967-

This poem was written by one of my favourite Malay writer.

He somehow had foreseen the downfall of Malay language shared by a large number of other Malay writers. This poem is about the longevity of the language issue and what the people should do about it. What he said in the poem is true, if it is not us who care and keep the language alive, who will? When nobody cares for the language, it will be gone with the last person who speaks that language…

Thank you to Abang Khairie for reminding me this poem…

More info on Keranda 152 and its meaning, click here.