Poem

Joko Pinurbo

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Goblins

Words are goblins which come out in the middle of the night,
they are not saints, immune to all temptation.

When goblins gather, their bodies are covered with blood,
and the pens they sharpen will never break.

© Translation: 2002, Harry Aveling
From: Trouser Doll
Publisher: Lontar, Jakarta, 2002

Kurcaci

Kurcaci

Kata-kata adalah kurcaci yang muncul tengah malam
dan ia bukan pertapa suci yang kebal terhadap godaan.

Kurcaci merubung tubuhnya yang berlumuran darah
sementara pena yang dihunusnya belum mau patah.

© 1998, Joko Pinurbo
From: Celana
Publisher: IndonesiaTera, Magelang

Joko Pinurbo

Joko Pinurbo

(Indonesia, 1962)

Joko Pinurbo is one of the most widely read poets in Indonesia today. Somewhat at a distance from the dominant lyric camp in Indonesian poetry, his work brings a refreshing mixture of narrative drive, irony, and self-reflexivity. Born in Sukabumi, West Java, in 11 May 1962, he later studied Indonesian language and literature at the Sanata Dharma University of Teachers’ Education and taught at h...

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Poems

Poems of Joko Pinurbo

Patrol

Night Raid

Calvary

Shaking

Goblins

God Came Tonight

Close

Goblins

Words are goblins which come out in the middle of the night,
they are not saints, immune to all temptation.

When goblins gather, their bodies are covered with blood,
and the pens they sharpen will never break.

© 2002, Harry Aveling
From: Trouser Doll
Publisher: 2002, Lontar, Jakarta

Goblins

Words are goblins which come out in the middle of the night,
they are not saints, immune to all temptation.

When goblins gather, their bodies are covered with blood,
and the pens they sharpen will never break.

© 2002, Harry Aveling
From: Trouser Doll
Publisher: 2002, Lontar, Jakarta

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