Poem: In The Midst Of Hardship (original Malay version)

Dear All,

This poem will be of interest to Malaysian English language secondary school teachers (and students too) especially those who are teaching or learning Form 4 English Liteature Component.

It's the Malay version of the poem : In The Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohideen.

I usually find for translated works such as poems, the original meaning may be lost or at best distorted and inaccurately translated.

Anyway, do enjoy the Malay version.

Rodney Tan

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Malay version of In the Midst of Hardship

Dalam Bencana
Mereka pulang ke rumah
waktu subuh hari
dengan pakaian robek basah
menghampiri api tungku
lengan mereka penuh calar
kaki mereka penuh luka
tapi di kening mereka
tidak kelihatan rasa kecewa
Sehari semalaman
mereka mengharungi banjir
berendam antara bangkai ternakan
dan serpihan kulit tumbuhan
kerbau balar si buyung
masih belum ditemui.
Mereka dilahirkan dalam bencana
tidak ada keluhan dan kutukan
kini mereka berjenaka di dapur
sambil menggulung rokok daun.


Latiff Mohideen 
1978