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The ghosts of the archipelago
haunt the screens of our minds
moving from graves or old trees
to the walls of our homes and even our deepest pockets
draining whatever is left
and what is left

The all-knowing tuyul (a ghost who knows money) dwells

The sundel bolong (a ghost who actively steals money from people's savings
just to see them laugh
at the unfunny play

Even the shroud (pocong) still has difficulty walking

Soldering fear in shabby clothes
and a charred face in the darkness

Without eyes

Without a nose
and no mouth

Silent in the darkness of night

Look at that long-haired woman
crawling from a large tree, looking for a cruel man

With a mustache and no masculinity

So who is this large, jet-haired creature
building a palace in a fallen tree
scaring people with a grin
then disappearing into the darkness

On the guest list of the celebration
listed and unreal, a list of names
living in the clouds representing a tribe
growing in slums in the dark
agreeing to be hostile man
who failed to sell them
with old songs

Lorong Asa, March 2025

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Orkestra Keluarga Hantu

hantu-hantu nusantara
bergentayangan dalam layar pikiran kita
beranjak dari kuburan atau pohon tua
sampai ke bilik rumah bahkan saku terdalam
menguras apa saja yang tersisa
dan yang tak bersisa

tuyul yang serba tahu uang berdiam
sundel bolong yang giat membolongi tabungan
hanya untuk melihat mereka tertawa
atas lakon yang tak jenaka

pocong pun masih susah melangkah
menjaja ketakutan dengan pakaian lusuh
dan wajah gosong dalam kegelapan
tanpa mata
tanpa hidung
dan mulut pun tiada
bungkam di kelam malam

lihatlah itu perempuan berambut panjang
merayap dari pohon besar, mencari lelaki kejam
bermisai tanpa kejantanan

lalu siapakah makhluk besar berbulu legam
membangun istana di pohon tumbang
menakuti manusia dengan seringai
lalu menghilang ditelan kegelapan

dalam daftar tamu perayaan
terdata dan tak nyata sederet nama
hidup di awan mewakili suku bangsa
tumbuh kumuh dalam gelap
sepakat memusuhi manusia
yang gagal menjaja mereka
dengan lagu lama

Lorong Asa, Maret 2025

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The poem above is included in the poetry anthology Kebangkitan which is set in the world of film.

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Launch of the poetry anthology "Kebangkitan" at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Indonesia.