Cockroach

Man has a long recorded history but cockroaches are believed to have lived on my place since millions of years ago. So, they are the true owners of the 100-square-meter plot of land. I myself respect their presence because I'm sure they possess the same ownership right to the property that I do. With that sense of recognition combined with curiosity I have learned that each type of cockroach has its own characteristics and name. Just as human creatures; some of whom are Semitic, Mongol, Aborigine,Indian, etc.

You say cockroaches are nauseating? You must have inadequate knowledge about the species. Please look into Grolier's Encyclopedia if you want to know and really understand. The book says less than one percent of billions of cockroaches around the globe spreads any disease. And another positive side -- they do not have a bad odor unless you crush one.

A serious observation also reveals that the species is handsome. Its long mustaches are quite stunning. They reach its back. When flying on moon-lit nights, its brown color, with little shiny black lines is very attractive. And cockroach colors are consistent and do not change with time.

The species has a good personality and is humble by nature. It lives a modest life in the lightless corners of our homes. It has every reason to be there because human beings have demolished its habitat and covered it with fungi and rotten felled trees. At my home, to give cockroaches the time to enjoy fresh air I occasionally let them run about the living room. Once in a while I also let some of them climb the shoes of my honorable visitors. Of course the guests feel nauseated and are shocked -- like being grabbed by Frankenstein.

However, despite the fact they are hated, no cockroach has tried to kill a human being. Although it has been the worst enemy in human minds for thousands of years in reality things are different. A cockroach has never hated homo sapiens, although the latter hunts it at every occasion. Furthermore, human beings have created many things that are horrible to mankind and the ecology. While none of this species has made any effort to build a school to train their children. On the other hand, human beings have set up millions of schools using modern curricula only to produce warlike and murderous people.

Now, who are more cruel and horrendous, human beings or cockroaches?

By Lilis Marliani

Translated by TIS

IF

If lips were met, there would be no trigger to provocation
If eyes wide open, our grandchildren would not carry foreign debts
If heart was in its place, there would be no burned bodies and houses

If we carry torch and watch our steps, boulders will sway to our side
When will we realize that tortures and weapons belong to blind cowards?

By Permata Hamid

You couldn't care less.

My words are swallowed
by your wheeled thunder,
a being that can't rest;
my words are blown up by your wind;
I'm drained and old and hot and stuffed;
my mind is going under
struggling in your flow of sin,
spasm in your river,
turbid with that mud.

By Viddy AD Daery