ZURINAH HASSAN, (MALAYSIAN NATIONAL LAUREATE), IN TRANSLATION

 WHEN NATURE CRIES

 

I have spoken out

when they injured the hills

and wounded  the trees  

Where I learn to write poetry  

 

But they said

I must learn to face reality

This is the age of industry

We cannot avoid deforestation

We need more houses

for the growing population

May be they are right

but it breaks my heart

as they sit to calculate their profit

the wind is jumping on the roof

Water attacking villages and  coasts

Its my people who suffer the most

 

Let the poor cling to lifeboats

or drift with the mud and tide

we need stylish houses

For the country’s  images and pride

 

Let the earth be sad and desparate

The country does not need romantic poets.