A great poem about being strong in the face of tumultuous adversity
The Little Girl
Her body reminded me of
areca palm in quiet country
tall and thin
in heavy storms
broken branches fall around
but the palm stands erect
awaiting the morning sun.
So it was with this little girl
thin as areca palm
year after year meeting her father
across the barbed wire of prison
imprisoned these many years
courageously fighting oppression
steady and faithful.
This little girl surprised me
calm and smiling broadly
politely turning down my help
‘I don’t need money, uncle,
just paper and books.’
Young in age
her soul matured by experience
not everyone grows strong this way
a unique steadiness that charms.
When I expressed sympathy and sadness,
feeling sorry for her,
once again she smiled and said:
‘Don’t be sad, uncle, steady your heart,
There are many children like me in the world.’
I became quite still
She calmed me, this little girl
Pacifying waves of emotion
Forbidding pity for her bitter experiences.
Is it not shameful for a grown man,
wanting to help suffering prisoners
to receive counsel from the child of one in prison
to be brave and steady?
Ten children like this
Will destroy a purpose of a thousand prisons.
Usman Awang
Translated by Adibah Amin
(from In-Sights: Malaysian Poems, published by Maya Press, 2003)
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